Who is DB Patil? CM Shinde announces that Navi Mumbai Airport will be named after former MP and activist

The upcoming international airport in Navi Mumbai will be named after former parliamentarian and activist DB Patil. An announcement was made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday during a test flight. An IAF C-295 landed at Navi Mumbai International Airport on Friday. The airport is being developed by the Adani Group and is expected to begin commercial operations early next year.

“We are ready to escape and also to fight. We do what we say, we don’t say what won’t happen, let’s see what happens in the future. Our work is done quickly. We started Ladli Behan Yojana and now the money goes to the sisters’ accounts quickly. Navi Mumbai Airport will prove to be a blessing for the people. Today the C-295 successfully landed at Navi Mumbai Airport. The airport will be called Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport,” the CM said.

“Today the landing was made on a safe runway. When work on the airport began, opposition leaders asked many questions. They said that these announcements are made a lot, there will be no airport, but today there was a safe landing and commercial flights will start soon,” Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis added.

Who is DB Patil?

Dinkar Balu Patil was born in Raigad district to a farming family in 1926. Patil obtained his LLB degree in 1951 before entering politics a few years later. He was first elected to the Maharashtra Assembly from Panvel in 1957 and served for five terms until 1980. Between 1977 and 1984 he also served as an MP from Kolaba.

Patil worked extensively with the Peasants and Workers Party and emerged as a vocal advocate for farmers and landowners. He led several protests during the 1970s and 1980s after the City and Industrial Development Corporation acquired land in Panvel.

(With contributions from agencies)