Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has declared that the first phase of the Navi Mumbai international airport is scheduled to be commercially operational by March 31, 2025. Inspecting the ongoing progress of the project, Scindia emphasized its significance as a crucial infrastructure initiative not only for Mumbai and Maharashtra but for the entire nation.
“The physical and financial completion is 55 to 60 per cent. The project began in 2018, and commercial operationalization is expected by March 31, 2025. In the first and second phase that will commence together, one runway, one terminal, and passenger capacity of two crores will be created,” Scindia stated during his interaction with reporters.
He further outlined the phased development plan, mentioning that the second runway and four additional terminals would be constructed in phases three, four, and five, leading to an increased passenger capacity of 9 crores.
While Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier projected the start of commercial operations in the second half of 2024, Scindia’s announcement aligns with the Union government’s commitment to the Navi Mumbai airport’s timely completion.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for multimodal connectivity under the Gati Shakti Yojana, Scindia explained that the upcoming airport would boast road, rail, and metro connectivity, with future plans for water connectivity.
“The airport will be connected to national highway 4B (348), the Sion-Panvel highway, and the Atal Setu, the country’s longest seabridge between Sewri in Mumbai and Nhava Sheva in Raigad,” he added.
Scindia also outlined the comprehensive connectivity plans, including links to Targhar railway station and various metro lines. Future phases aim to introduce hovercraft connectivity from Colaba in south Mumbai and cargo liners from Raigad.
Navi Mumbai International Airport is poised to be the first in the country with automated passenger movement within its 1600 hectares, spanning 10 kilometers on the city side and airside, while maintaining a 100 per cent green approach.
The Union Minister concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to doubling domestic air passenger traffic from 15 crores to 30 crores by 2030, with plans to establish over 200 airports in the next six years.
Sources By Agencies
