Hemuji from Warangal
After years of delay, Warangal’s Mamnoor Airport is set to become operational by the end of 2024, according to government sources. Located about 170 km from Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Mamnoor will be the first of six proposed airports in Telangana to launch under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-Udan).
Dormant since 1980, the airport is expected to handle regional traffic, with 700 acres already secured by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The Telangana government is acquiring an additional 200 acres, while plans are underway to relocate 40 to 50 families from the site.
Significant progress is also reported for airports in Adilabad and Nizamabad, where 1,000 acres have been earmarked for development. These projects are gaining momentum after discussions between Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and Union Civil Aviation Ministry officials. Meanwhile, the Bhadrachalam project is facing delays due to difficult terrain, though alternative sites are being considered. Plans for airports in Devarakadra and Basanthnagar have been postponed due to geographic challenges.
Once India’s largest pre-Independence airport, Mamnoor was established in 1930 and played a key role in civilian and military aviation, even serving during the Indo-China war. Though it has been out of operation for over 40 years, the airport’s history remains prominent in the memories of locals who recall its past importance.
Today, one of the two runways is used for National Cadet Corps (NCC) training, while the second remains overgrown and largely inactive. However, the airport’s impending revival has spurred a surge in land prices, with rates climbing from ₹10,000–₹15,000 per square yard to ₹30,000–₹40,000. Residents are optimistic that the reopening will bring economic growth to the region, reminiscent of the transformation around Shamshabad after the construction of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
“The Mamnoor area has always been integral to Warangal’s identity, and we believe this development will usher in a new era for our community,” a local resident shared, reflecting widespread hope for a prosperous future.
