Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was cremated with full state honours today in Baramati following his tragic death in a plane crash. While the state is in mourning, a new discussion regarding aviation safety has started on social media after senior journalist Ajit Anjum shared a photo from Patna Airport.
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Ajit Pawar Final Journey and Crash Details
Ajit Pawar passed away on the morning of January 28, 2026, in a plane crash near Baramati Airport. The accident involved a Learjet 45 aircraft owned by VSR Ventures. The crash claimed the lives of five people, including the Deputy CM, his personal security officer, an assistant, and two pilots. His mortal remains were merged with the five elements today at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati. The Maharashtra government has announced a public holiday and a three-day state mourning to pay respect to the leader.
Safety Concerns at Patna Airport
After the recent crash, senior journalist Ajit Anjum shared a picture from inside a flight at Patna Airport. He mentioned that scary thoughts occur while taking off from there. This post has gone viral, and people are now discussing the safety of the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport. The main issue discussed is the short length of the runway compared to safety standards.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Runway Length | 2,072 Meters |
| Effective Length (West Side) | 1,677 Meters |
| Standard Required (FAA) | 2,300 Meters |
| Major Obstacles | Secretariat Clock Tower, Zoo Trees |
Current Rules and Expansion Plans
The Patna airport is considered technical for pilots because of obstacles like the Secretariat tower and trees near the runway. Big planes like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 fly with a ‘load penalty,’ which means they carry fewer passengers or less cargo for safety. There is a pending proposal to reduce the height of the Secretariat tower by 17.5 meters and acquire 15 acres of land from the Patna Zoo to expand the runway, but it is yet to be fully implemented.
