Pune’s 250-acre Hadapsar Gliding Centre is set for a proposed overhaul after the site was transferred from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), with a detailed project report (DPR) now nearing completion, according to a report by Sakal. The redevelopment plan may include a heliport, facilities for aerial adventure sports and an aviation gallery.
The site, described as the only gliding centre of its kind in the country, has historically been used for gliding. Under the proposed redevelopment, its use could expand beyond gliding to include additional aviation and recreational activities. The final mix of facilities will be determined after the DPR is completed, the report said.
A heliport is being considered as a central component of the plan. Such a facility is designed for helicopter take-offs and landings and may include a helipad, passenger terminal, hangars, refuelling infrastructure and air traffic control arrangements. The report said the proposed facility could support private, commercial, tourism, emergency medical and other helicopter operations, subject to the final project design and approvals.
The redevelopment proposal also includes the possibility of introducing aerial adventure activities such as paramotoring. The centre’s large, level ground has been identified as suitable for such activities, while gliding would continue to remain part of the site’s aviation use. The report did not specify the proposed investment, construction schedule, operating agency or projected passenger and visitor capacity.
The location’s relationship with Pune airport operations is an important factor in the plan. According to the report, the Hadapsar centre lies outside Pune airport’s flight funnel zone, meaning the proposed gliding and adventure activities are not expected to significantly affect aircraft operations. Existing gliding flights are restricted to approximately 3,000 feet. When helicopters operate in the area, the air traffic control room provides instructions on direction and altitude to glider operators.
The transfer of the land from the DGCA to the AAI creates a new institutional framework for deciding how the site will be developed and managed. The AAI is preparing the DPR, which is expected to establish the project’s facilities and intended use. Until that report is completed, the precise scope of the redevelopment remains undecided.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the DPR was in its final stage and that the future use of the site would be determined only after its completion. He said a heliport and other possible facilities would be considered as part of the planning exercise.
The proposal therefore marks a shift in the role of the Hadapsar Gliding Centre—from a specialised gliding facility towards a broader aviation, tourism and public-recreation site. The next formal milestone is the completion of the DPR, after which the authorities are expected to clarify the facilities, operating arrangements and implementation plan.
