The Mumbai airport has finally been renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji ‘Maharaj’ International Airport, with the Prime Minister’s Office clearing the resolution passed by the State Assembly almost two years ago.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is now Chhatrapati Shivaji ‘Maharaj’ International Airport. Congratulations to the people of Maharashtra, the long pending demand is now fulfilled. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for the concern towards the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra,” Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted.
A senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation said the minister had proposed adding ‘Maharaj’ to the name. “After the minister’s approval, the proposal was sent to the Prime Minister. [The decision has been made] after the PM’s approval. The gazette notification is still pending and once that is out, the word ‘Maharaj’ will be added,” he said.
The State government had on December 8, 2016, decided to add ‘Maharaj’ to the names of the airport and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. While the then railway minister had approved the change in name of the railway terminus, the change in the airport name had been pending.
Airport operator GVK, which runs Mumbai International Airport Ltd, will now have to make a lot of changes, from informing the International Air Transport Association to changing boards at the airport premises and branding from CSIA to CSMIA. The civic authorities will also have to change signage on roads leading to the international airport.
