Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai, Jul 12: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has set a September 30 deadline for the completion of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, urging authorities to accelerate the pace of work. During a site visit on Saturday, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis instructed officials to double or triple the workforce to ensure timely delivery.

He reported that the project has reached 94% physical completion, with terminal construction finished and interior and ceiling work progressing rapidly. Notably, the baggage handling system will allow 360-degree barcode scanning, and aims to be the fastest in the world.

Highlighting its scale, Fadnavis said the greenfield airport would eventually be larger than Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, featuring two runways and a passenger handling capacity of 90 million annually. The airport will operate on green electricity, aligning with sustainability goals.

A key infrastructure highlight includes an underground metro system connecting to the airport, ensuring seamless access without requiring personal vehicles.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed by the Navi Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (NMIAL) — a Public-Private Partnership where Mumbai International Airport Ltd holds 74% stake, and CIDCO owns 26%. The project is strategically located, just 14 km from JNPT port, 22 km from MIDC Taloja, and 40 km from Bhiwandi.

Equipped with a 3,700-metre runway, modern terminals, and advanced air traffic control systems, Terminal 1 alone is expected to serve 20 million passengers per year. In its initial phase, the airport will also handle 0.5 million tons of cargo annually.

Officials believe the airport will boost economic growth, enhance regional connectivity, and help ease traffic pressure on Mumbai’s existing airport, while positioning Navi Mumbai as a critical aviation hub in Western India.