Nearly two months after the grand inauguration of Terminal-1 at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, the much-publicized facility is yet to become operational for passengers.
The renovated terminal, developed at a cost of approximately ₹50 crore, was inaugurated in March 2026 with the promise that flight operations, particularly for smaller ATR aircraft, would begin from April. The facility was designed to handle around 10 lakh additional passengers annually, helping reduce congestion at the existing terminal and boosting the airport’s overall capacity to 50 lakh passengers per year.
At the time of inauguration, airport authorities had announced plans to shift nearly 16 daily flights to the new terminal, including routes operated by IndiGo, Alliance Air, and Star Air. However, despite the infrastructure being ready, operations remain stalled.
According to reports, pending security clearances, shortage of CISF personnel, and delays in completing operational formalities and tenders are among the key reasons preventing the terminal from opening to passengers. Meanwhile, travelers continue to rely solely on the existing terminal despite rising passenger traffic in the city.
The delay has reignited a larger debate about public infrastructure projects across India. While inaugurations often generate headlines and political attention, citizens are increasingly questioning whether facilities should be inaugurated only after they are fully ready for public use.
As Indore continues its rapid growth as a commercial and aviation hub, passengers are now waiting for the day when Terminal-1 moves beyond ribbon-cutting ceremonies and begins serving the purpose it was built for.
The bigger question: Are infrastructure projects being inaugurated after completion, or before they are truly ready? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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