Nagpur is famous for its oranges. It is also known as the tiger capital of India. But the most defining fact about this city is that the British considered Nagpur the geographic centre-point of undivided India. They used Nagpur’s central location as the ‘zero-mile’ to measure all overland distances across the subcontinent.
That placement has shaped much of Nagpur's past and present. And now, the same unique geographic position is becoming a vital factor in shaping the future of the city.
On June 25, 2026, GMR Airports took over operations at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur. The airport now joins GMR Airport’s portfolio of national and international airports and marks the most exciting chapter in the history of central India's aviation.
Nagpur as India's "Zero Mile" City — And What It Means for Aviation in the Region
In 1907, during the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, the British placed a sandstone pillar in the heart of Nagpur. It is called the Zero Mile Stone, and it has since then been regarded as marking the geographic centre of the country.
For aviation, this kind of centrality of location is a great asset.
- A passenger who boards an aircraft from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport can reach a major Indian city in any direction within a short flight time.
- For cargo operators and logistics companies, Nagpur International Airport is a centre from which goods can be moved to any coast, any metro city, and any industrial corridor with nearly equal efficiency.
No other Indian city can offer this advantage.
GMR's Takeover — From Regional Airport to National Gateway
GMR Nagpur International Airport Limited (GNIAL) signed a 30-year concession agreement in November 2024 with a joint venture between the Airports Authority of India and the Maharashtra Airport Development Company.
On June 25, 2026, GNIAL formally took charge of approximately 1,000 hectares of airport land and commenced commercial operations. The day marked the beginning of one of the most ambitious airport development programmes in Central India.
GMR Airports' vision for Nagpur is to elevate the airport from a regional facility to a national gateway. The development roadmap for GMR Nagpur Airport is built around this ambition.
The first phase is backed by an investment of approximately ₹300 crore and focuses on modernising the passenger experience from the ground up. The budget will be used to refurbish the terminal, add more check-in counters and self-check-in kiosks, and upgrade airport amenities. Every upgrade is designed to bring the facility closer to the standard passengers have got used to at other leading GMR Airports, including Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa.
Nagpur International Airport currently serves around 3 million passengers a year. Over the course of the 30-year concession, GMR Airports plans to grow this capacity to 30 million passengers annually. Eventually, GMR aims to scale the airport capacity up to 50 million passengers a year.
Nagpur Airport — The Cargo and Logistics Advantage
Passenger connectivity is one part of Nagpur's potential. What truly sets this airport apart is the logistics ecosystem that surrounds it.
Nagpur is beginning to offer to the industry something no other city can — equal ease of transportation in every direction, supported by a dedicated SEZ and an expressway to Mumbai.
Nagpur is home to India's first multi-product Special Economic Zone built adjacent to an existing international airport. The SEZ spans over 2,000 hectares and is designed to house export-oriented industries across IT, pharmaceuticals, garments, electronics, and processed food.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway now connects Nagpur to Mumbai in approximately eight hours by road.
The airport's long-term cargo handling target is 150,000 metric tonnes per annum. Phase 2 of the development roadmap includes a new cargo terminal with an initial capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes. For a region that has historically lacked large-scale cargo facilities, this is a milestone.
This matters especially for the Vidarbha region. Nagpur has long been the commercial centre of Vidarbha — a region that covers nearly a third of Maharashtra's land area and is rich in natural resources, agriculture, and manufacturing potential. Yet Vidarbha has historically lacked the large-scale logistics infrastructure needed to connect its industries to national and international markets. A modern cargo facility at Nagpur International Airport changes that equation.
Why Nagpur Airport Is a Strategic Investment for GMR
Central India — and the Vidarbha region in particular — is one of the country's most underserved aviation markets. Vidarbha's economy spans agriculture, mining, textiles, and a growing manufacturing base. The region has a large and growing population and rising passenger demand but has lacked the air connectivity to match its economic potential.
That gap is what makes Nagpur Airport a strategic investment for GMR.
GMR Airports has demonstrated what long-term commitment can achieve for an airport and the region it serves.
- Delhi Airport, taken over by GMR in 2006, today serves over 78 million passengers a year across four runways, connects to more than 150 destinations, and handles over 1.1 million metric tonnes of cargo annually as India's largest cargo handling airport.
- Hyderabad Airport, operated by GMR since 2008, today serves over 30 million passengers a year and handles nearly 200,000 metric tonnes of cargo annually.
The Nagpur International Airport starts with a geographic advantage that neither Delhi nor Hyderabad had — a position at the centre of the country, surrounded by an underserved region with real demand for connectivity.
As one of the best private airport operators in India, GMR Airports is applying a proven model to a location with some of the highest untapped potential in Indian aviation.
The development is closely aligned with India's broader vision for regional connectivity. GMR Airports aims to establish Nagpur International Airport as a national gateway.
What Is Next for Nagpur International Airport
The transformation of Nagpur airport is a phased programme designed to unfold over the first eight years of the concession.
In Phase 1, over the 12–18 months period from July 2026, GMR aims to modernise the existing terminal and enhance the passenger journey through upgraded amenities, improved security processing, and new lounge facilities.
In Phase 2, planned for years three and four, GMR plans to build a new integrated passenger terminal with an initial annual capacity of 4 million passengers. This phase also includes a dedicated cargo terminal, an in-flight kitchen, fuel farm, and ground handling infrastructure. GMR intends to begin city-side development as well. Approximately 100 hectares have been earmarked for an Aerocity which is designed to boost regional economic growth.
In Phase 3, spanning years five through eight, GMR aims to construct a second runway, a new Air Traffic Control tower, and dedicated power and water infrastructure to support long-term operational resilience.
A Gateway Taking Shape at the Centre of India
Nagpur has always had the geographical advantage to serve as a gateway to India. What it needed was the infrastructure and the commitment to match.
That commitment is now in place. With GMR Nagpur Airport operational under a three-decade concession, the investment is committed and the roadmap is clear.
GMR Airports is excited to embark on this monumental journey with the same commitment that has made it the largest airport developer in India in the private sector. For Nagpur, for Vidarbha, and for Central India, the runway to a new future is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who operates Nagpur Airport now?
GMR Nagpur International Airport Limited (GNIAL) operates Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport under a 30-year concession agreement signed in November 2024 with a joint venture between the Airports Authority of India and the Maharashtra Airport Development Company.
Why is Nagpur called the Zero Mile City?
A sandstone pillar placed during the 1907 Great Trigonometrical Survey has long been regarded as marking India's geographic centre. The Zero Mile Stone stands in the heart of Nagpur.
What is Nagpur Airport's passenger capacity?
The airport currently serves around 3 million passengers annually. Under GMR's development roadmap, capacity is planned to reach 30 million, with infrastructure designed to scale to support 50 million passengers a year.
How does Nagpur Airport connect to Mumbai?
The Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway connects Nagpur to Muxmbai in approximately eight hours by road.