Asserting that the government has zero tolerance for air safety issues, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday (January 29, 2026) said the investigation into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others would follow a time-bound approach. Responding to a query about the absence of firefighting personnel during the incident, the Minister said the airstrip is used primarily by flying training organisations. But this facility has been used by NSOPs, particularly for flying training organisations,” he said. Mr. Naidu added that India is considered one of the safest countries in terms of aviation safety protocols. He said the Maharashtra government had written to the Centre regarding the investigation, and the Civil Aviation Ministry had responded, confirming that the probe was underway.