Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray today claimed that the reports of shifting a radar station from Dahisar in Mumbai is fake news, demanding the cabinet approval note. He called it lies and fake promises, claiming that the BJP is making false promises before the elections. However, just hours later, the official confirmation of the shift came from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
In a letter dated 14th January addressed to the Maharashtra government, the ministry officially confirmed the relocation of the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) high-frequency radar station from Dahisar to Gorai.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared the letter on X this afternoon, stating that the AAI’s decision has received approval from Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. “The Airports Authority of India has decided to relocate the high-frequency radar for the airport, currently located at Dahisar, to Gorai. This decision has also received approval from the Hon. Union Minister for Civil Aviation,” Fadnavis posted.
The Airports Authority of India has decided to relocate the high-frequency radar for the airport, currently located at Dahisar, to Gorai. This decision has also received approval from the Hon. Union Minister for Civil Aviation. The State Government had already taken a decision to… pic.twitter.com/Nu7rUaXXGh
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 14, 2026
The CM added that the State Government had already taken a decision to provide land at Gorai for this purpose. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Naidu, noting that the move “has paved the way for redevelopment in this area.”
As per the ministry’s letter, Maharashtra govt will give 20 acres of land to AAI free of cost for the construction of the radar station. From the land freed in Dahisar after shifting the station, 29 acres will be used to develop a public garden by the AAI for citizens. The remaining land will be developed by AAI as per rules, including change of land use. The ownership of 64 acres of land, including the 29 acres for the garden, will remain with the AAI. However, the most important beneficiaries will be the people who own land around the radar station, as the area will be free for redevelopment, which was prevented due to the presence of the station.
Earlier in the day, Thackeray had questioned the credibility of a video circulating online saying that the civil aviation minister has announced the shift. In his X post, Thackeray called it “lies” and a “fake promise,” demanding concrete evidence such as a Cabinet approval note. “Show us the Cabinet Approval Note… Do it first, don’t fool the people otherwise. You have run the same script since 2014 before every election,” he wrote.
Just came across a video posted yesterday by someone having the civil aviation minister announcing that the High Frequency Radar has will be shifted out from Dahisar to another location.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 14, 2026
🚨 Lies. Fake promise. Show us the Cabinet Approval Note. 🚨
Do it first, don’t fool the…
Thackeray said that the issue has lingered for decades, with promises unfulfilled despite the BJP holding power at the centre, state, and local levels since 2014. He further demanded details on the new site’s impact and a detailed project report, accusing the government of taking Dahisar residents “for granted.”
Background on the Relocation
The radar station in Dahisar, operated by the AAI for airport navigation and safety, has long been a barrier to urban development in the area. Installed decades ago, it imposes strict height restrictions on buildings within a several-kilometer radius to avoid interference with its high-frequency signals. This has stalled redevelopment projects worth over ₹7,000 crore, affecting around 10,000 families living in old and dilapidated structures.
The push for relocation gained momentum in recent years due to Mumbai’s acute housing crisis. The radar’s presence has locked up an estimated 1,000 acres (over 400 hectares) of prime land, preventing the construction of affordable housing and modern infrastructure. Relocating it to Gorai, a less densely populated area, is expected to unlock this land for large-scale affordable housing initiatives, potentially enabling the development of up to 50,000 new homes.
Similarly, the radar station in Juhu’s DN Nagar will also be relocated, unlocking land in the area for development. The Maharashtra government has agreed to bear the relocation costs and provide the alternative site.
Discussions on shifting the radar date back to at least 2017, when the Union government first agreed in principle after requests from the state. However, implementation stalled amid technical challenges, including ensuring aviation safety in Mumbai’s busy airspace. Recent stakeholder meetings involving the Civil Aviation Ministry, AAI, and state officials culminated in the approval, with Cabinet clearance now pending to initiate the process.
