Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, October 8, inaugurated Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), a landmark infrastructure project developed at an estimated cost of Rs 19,650 crore. According to sources, the event was attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
India’s largest greenfield airport project
Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, NMIA is India’s largest greenfield airport and will serve as the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Spread over 1,160 hectares, the project is designed to significantly decongest Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and position the city among the world’s leading multi-airport systems.
The airport’s first phase will handle 20 million passengers annually, while the completed facility will accommodate up to 90 million passengers and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo each year. The project’s ownership lies with Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd, a joint venture between Mumbai International Airport Ltd (holding 74 per cent) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) with 26 per cent. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted NMIA its aerodrome licence on September 30.
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Designed for sustainability and efficiency
NMIA has been developed with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. The airport will feature a 47 MW solar power generation system, dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and electric bus services for public transport connectivity.
A standout feature of the project is its Automated People Mover (APM) system, which will connect all four passenger terminals and provide a smooth link to city transport infrastructure. NMIA will also be the first airport in India to be connected by water taxi services, offering an alternative mode of travel between Navi Mumbai and the mainland.
Technological innovation and passenger comfort
The airport will integrate advanced digital and artificial intelligence systems to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency. Through the ‘One-Up End-to-End Baggage Facility’ app, travellers will be able to check in directly at metro stations and have their baggage transferred seamlessly to the terminal.
The terminal design will showcase Indian art and culture through digital installations, combining modern architecture with traditional aesthetics. Parking facilities for 350 aircraft and separate taxiways for both runways will help streamline air traffic movement and reduce waiting times.
Improved urban transport and connectivity
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 – part of the city’s first fully underground metro corridor. The section from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 12,200 crore, completing the 33.5 km Aqua Line from Cuffe Parade to Aarey, constructed at a total cost exceeding Rs 37,270 crore.
The Metro Line 3 project will cater to an estimated 13 lakh commuters daily and connect major business and administrative centres, including Mantralaya, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Nariman Point. The network has been designed for seamless integration with other modes of transport, improving last-mile connectivity and reducing congestion in the MMR.
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Launch of ‘Mumbai One’ and new skill programme
The Prime Minister also launched Mumbai One, an integrated common mobility app that brings together 11 public transport operators – including metro, monorail, suburban rail and bus services – under one digital platform. The app enables integrated ticketing, cashless payments and real-time travel updates, allowing passengers to plan journeys more efficiently and securely. In addition, PM Modi launched the Short-Term Employability Programme (STEP), an initiative of Maharashtra’s Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The scheme aims to align technical education with industry needs and will be implemented across 400 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 150 technical high schools.
STEP will introduce 2,500 new training batches, including 364 exclusively for women, in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Electric Vehicles, solar energy, and additive manufacturing.
