Meerut is India’s fourth-largest city in Uttar Pradesh, the historical epicentre of the 1857 Uprising’s first spark, a major sporting goods manufacturing hub (Meerut produces most of India’s cricket bats, hockey sticks, and boxing equipment), and the biggest city in the NCR after Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad. For a metropolitan city of over 3.5 million that also sits 69 km northeast of Delhi, Meerut has been aviation-deprived for decades. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip — named after the architect of India’s Constitution — carries ICAO code VI2B and no IATA code. Located between Partapur and Gagol villages south of the city on 47 acres, it handles only non-scheduled charter flights. A 2014 MoU with AAI for a three-phase expansion, a 2013 state cabinet approval to transfer additional 427 acres, and a February 2014 MoU with AAI outlined a modern airport development — but as of mid-2026, the expansion has not progressed to commercial operations.
Quick Overview: Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip
| Detail | Information |
| Airport Name | Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip (also: Meerut Airstrip; Meerut Airport) |
| Location | Between Partapur and Gagol villages, south of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Airport Type | Public — Non-commercial (charter flights only) |
| IATA Code | None (Wikipedia: IATA none) |
| ICAO Code | VI2B (Wikipedia) / IN-0391 (metar-taf.com informal reference) |
| Owner/Operator | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Named After | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Constitution-maker, Dalit emancipation leader) |
| Airstrip Area | ~47 acres (existing); 427 additional acres approved by UP Cabinet 2013 |
| Runway Designation | 11/29 |
| Elevation | 223 m / 732 ft AMSL |
| Coordinates | 28°54′18″N, 77°40′37″E |
| Nearest Weather Station | Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (~69 km) |
| Flight Information Region | Delhi FIR |
| Scheduled Commercial Flights | None (charter only) |
| MoU Status | AAI-UP Govt MoU signed February 2014; three-phase expansion planned |
| Nearest Commercial Airport | Hindon Airport (HDO) ~52 km; IGI Delhi ~69 km |
Meerut Airstrip Location: Partapur-Gagol Fringe South of the City
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip is located between Partapur and Gagol villages on the southern outskirts of Meerut city, at coordinates 28°54′18″N, 77°40′37″E, elevation 223 metres. Partapur is a major commercial and industrial zone on Meerut’s southern side, home to the city’s sporting goods manufacturing cluster, textile mills, and engineering units. The airstrip’s fringe location between these villages puts it within approximately 6 km of Meerut’s urban core.
Meerut’s case for an upgraded commercial airport is compelling: it is the fourth or fifth largest city in UP by population, within NCR, 130 km from Lucknow, a major sporting goods exporter, home to several engineering colleges and defence establishments, and close enough to Delhi to benefit from passenger diversion from IGI. The city has long argued for an airport to serve western UP and the Uttarakhand foothills accessible via Meerut’s road network.
The expansion plan under the February 2014 MoU with AAI envisioned three phases — Phase 1 initially to upgrade to a 30-seat aircraft capacity, followed by progressive development toward a full-scale domestic airport. The 427 additional acres approved by the UP Cabinet in 2013 for transfer to AAI would have created a substantial site. As of mid-2026, no phase of this expansion had been executed to the point of commercial operations.
Code, Terminal and Status
ICAO VI2B (Wikipedia) and IN-0391 (informal pilot navigation reference) are the two identifiers. No IATA code exists — none has been assigned as no scheduled commercial operations exist. No METAR data is published from the airstrip; the nearest weather reference is IGI Delhi, 69 km away. No navigational aids are recorded in the vicinity.
The airstrip handles non-scheduled charter flights — the most basic form of commercial aviation activity. The existing 47-acre site with its single runway (11/29) can accommodate small aircraft.
Connectivity and Amenities
By Air: No scheduled commercial flights. Charter aircraft only. Nearest commercial airports: Hindon Airport (HDO, ~52 km, IndiGo and others) and IGI Delhi (~69 km).
By Road: Meerut city centre is approximately 6 km north. Delhi is 69 km southwest via NH-58 (Delhi-Meerut Expressway, approximately 1 hour). Hapur is ~14 km east. Ghaziabad is approximately 30 km south.
By Metro: Delhi Metro’s Rapid Rail Corridor (RRTS) between Delhi and Meerut — when completed — will significantly reduce the Delhi-Meerut journey to 45 minutes and improve the case for Meerut aviation.
No public commercial passenger amenities.
FAQs: Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip
Q1. Does Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Airstrip have an IATA code?
No. Wikipedia lists IATA as none. The ICAO code is VI2B. The airstrip handles only non-scheduled charter flights and does not appear in any airline booking system.
Q2. What expansion was planned for Meerut Airport?
The UP government approved transfer of 427 additional acres to AAI in 2013. An MoU for three-phase development was signed in February 2014. As of mid-2026, no phase had been executed to commercial operations.
Q3. Why does Meerut lack commercial aviation despite its size?
Meerut’s proximity to Delhi (69 km) and the NCR’s established airports (IGI, Hindon) has reduced the immediate urgency for Meerut aviation investment. But the city’s 3.5+ million population and industrial profile make a commercial airport commercially viable in the medium term.
Q4. What is the nearest commercial airport to Meerut?
Hindon Airport (HDO, Ghaziabad) at approximately 52 km is the nearest with scheduled commercial services. IGI Delhi is approximately 69 km.
Q5. What is the significance of the airport’s name?
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Babasaheb) was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, a jurist, economist, and the leader of the Dalit emancipation movement. Naming the airstrip after him reflects Meerut’s significant Dalit political and cultural presence.
