The government of Telangana has approved an administrative sanction of ₹2,278.14 crore for establishment of Joint User Airfield (JUA) in Adilabad. This project, which will be developed collaboratively by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Airports Authority of India (AAI),involves the acquisition of 2,009.23 acres of land, as confirmed by a Government Order issued by the Roads and Buildings Department on Saturday.
Previously,a proposal to acquire only 700 acres was in place, but the new directive significantly expands scope of the project. The JUA is designed to cater to both defence and civil aviation requirements,featuring a civil aviation enclave, a cargo terminal,Maintenance,Repair,and Overhaul (MRO) facilities,and hangars, with plans for future expansion .
Of the total land to be acquired, 1,609.23 acres will be allocated for the IAF, while 400 acres will support civil aviation infrastructure. This decision follows a joint survey conducted by the Ministry of Defence, which recommended construction of a 9,000-foot runway for the airport. Currently,the IAF holds 369.45 acres at the site but has requested an additional 1,500 acres of contiguous, encumbrance-free land for its training establishment. The Telangana government has committed to acquiring this land at no cost .
The financial breakdown of project includes ₹1,555.11 crore earmarked for land acquisition,₹310 crore for relocating 765 kV transmission towers,₹57.49 crore for stream diversions, and ₹35 crore for realigning the Adilabad-Anukunta road. Additional costs include ₹18.76 crore for relocating electrical infrastructure and ₹3.55 crore for shifting drinking water pipelines under Mission Bhagiratha initiative. There is also a provision of ₹31 crore for compensating structures affected by project.
To ensure timely implementation, the government will cover all expenses related to land acquisition and the removal of utilities. The District Collector of Adilabad has been instructed to complete the land acquisition and associated tasks by December 31,2026 .
Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, the Minister for Roads and Buildings, emphasized the strategic importance of the Adilabad Joint User Airfield for Telangana. He noted that the administrative sanction encompasses not only land acquisition but also all necessary ancillary works,such as road realignment and the relocation of high-tension power lines. Reddy stated that the project would serve as a vital asset for the state,enhancing industrial development,cargo connectivity, tourism, logistics, and national defence,while also generating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for local youth.
