MP High Court Slams State for ₹500 Crore Airport Upgrade With Scant Flights, Threatens to Divert Bhopal & Indore Services

Jabalpur, MP – In a scathing indictment of state administrative policy, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has sternly criticized the state government for its perceived neglect of Jabalpur's air connectivity, questioning the rationale behind a ₹500 crore airport upgrade that has resulted in fewer flight options. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf, made a series of forceful oral observations, suggesting a "second-hand treatment" of the city and threatening to mandate the transfer of flights from the state's administrative and commercial capitals, Bhopal and Indore.

The court's observations came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the consumer rights organization, Nagrik Upbhokta Margdarshak Manch. The petition, which has been listed over 20 times, highlights the glaring disparity between the significant public expenditure on Jabalpur's Dumna Airport and the subsequent discontinuation of several flights, leaving the city poorly connected to major business and administrative hubs.

Questioning Public Expenditure and Executive Inaction

At the heart of the court's frustration was the apparent lack of return on a substantial public investment. The bench directly confronted the State counsel about the efficacy of spending nearly ₹500 crores on infrastructure that remains underutilized.

"Why did you spend so much money? It got less flights than Rewa... Jabalpur has only what 5 flights a day. Why did you spend all this money?" the judges orally asked.

In its defense, the state counsel presented a Request for Proposal (RFP) recently floated by the Directorate of Aviation, intended to solicit bids from airline operators to enhance flight connectivity. However, this move failed to placate the bench. Upon examining the document, the court noted that the RFP was not specific to Jabalpur's needs and was heavily skewed towards routes originating from or terminating in Indore. The absence of a proposed route to Delhi, a critical destination, further fueled the court's displeasure.

"You give us a rosy picture, RFP Floated. Jabalpur is not in it. Delhi (as a proposed destination) is not in it," the bench observed, dismissing the state's efforts as inadequate.

The court's remarks underscored a deeper issue of regional disparity, linking Jabalpur's neglect to its status as the state's judicial seat, in contrast to Bhopal's role as the administrative capital. The bench’s oral observations took a sharp, unprecedented turn, suggesting direct judicial intervention to remedy the imbalance.

"We will order transfer flights from Bhopal and Indore to Jabalpur. We will mandate," the bench warned. "Why is Jabalpur sitting getting a second-hand treatment, just because there is no principal seat of administration over here? ... We will shift everything here. We will stop entertaining any officer who was stationed in Bhopal for our matters, and we want them stationed here; then your connectivity will improve!"

This strong language signifies the court's profound dissatisfaction with the prolonged inaction and what it perceives as systemic bias in state policy, elevating the case from a simple infrastructure issue to a matter of administrative equity and accountability.

The Role of Airlines and Commercial Viability

The proceedings also involved major airline operators, reflecting the multi-faceted nature of the problem. Currently, IndiGo is the sole airline operating services from Jabalpur. Advocate Siddharth Sharma, representing its parent company Interglobe Aviation, informed the court of plans to introduce two additional daytime flights starting in November.

However, the bench was critical of this proposal, pointing out that the timing of existing and proposed flights does not serve the needs of business travelers and legal professionals who require early morning departures and late evening arrivals.

"There is a flight that is starting in November, probably to cater to the tourist season, and then after the tourist season is over, it will go because it does not cater to business people or professionals," the judges noted. They suggested a more pragmatic schedule: "make one morning and one in the evening that will cater to all, including tourists."

This exchange highlights the tension between an airline's commercial considerations, which may favour tourist traffic, and the public's need for connectivity that supports professional and economic activity. The court had previously directed IndiGo to submit suggestions to the government on making routes to Jabalpur commercially viable, a point that remains a central challenge.

Legal and Administrative Implications

The case, Nagrik Upbhokta Margdarshak Manch & Ors v. Union Of India & Ors (WP No. 14563 of 2024), stands as a significant example of judicial review in the domain of public policy and expenditure. The High Court is leveraging its constitutional authority to scrutinize executive decisions and hold the government accountable for its promises of regional development.

For legal practitioners, especially in administrative and constitutional law, the court's approach is noteworthy. The bench's willingness to question the wisdom of policy decisions—not merely their legality—and its threat of direct intervention in flight scheduling demonstrates a robust form of judicial activism aimed at compelling executive action.

The court’s final directive in the hearing was for the State to convene a joint meeting of all stakeholders, including the Airport Authority of India, airline operators, and representatives from the petitioner's organization, to find a workable solution. This collaborative approach, mandated by the judiciary, signals a potential path forward.

As the state scrambles to respond to the court's ultimatum, the legal and business communities are watching closely. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how courts handle PILs concerning regional infrastructure development and force state governments to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively and equitably.

The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on November 06, by which time the state is expected to present a concrete and specific plan to address Jabalpur's connectivity crisis.