Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 3: The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has given its approval for the construction of an elevated road connecting Thane to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport. The project, with a budget of Rs 6,363 crore, will be implemented by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) through a public-private partnership.
The decision is a major step toward improving connectivity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which is set to be inaugurated by the end of September. The new airport is expected to begin commercial operations within 45 days of the inauguration.
The elevated road is a crucial component of the infrastructure plan for the airport, which will serve as the second air hub for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The project is intended to ease congestion at the current Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and stimulate economic growth in the region.
The first phase of the Navi Mumbai airport project involves an investment of nearly ?20,000 crore and will feature a single terminal for both domestic and international flights and one of two planned runways. With a capacity to handle 20 million passengers per year, the airport is designed to significantly enhance the MMR's aviation infrastructure.
Key features of the new airport include an ultra-fast baggage handling system with 360-degree barcode scanning, aiming for one of the fastest baggage claim areas in the world. Future phases will also introduce a city check-in facility, allowing for seamless, luggage-free travel to the airport.
Chief Minister Fadnavis, who recently visited the project site, stated that the airport is progressing rapidly and that the workforce could be doubled if necessary to meet the deadline. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde echoed this sentiment, calling the airport a "game-changer for Maharashtra’s economic future." He added that a completed "missing link" on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway would even allow Pune residents to reach the new airport within an hour.