Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), marking a historic milestone as India’s first fully digital and eco-friendly aviation hub. Spread over 1,160 hectares and built at a cost of approximately ₹19,650 crore under a public-private partnership led by Adani Airport Holdings, the airport embodies the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India)
.In his address, PM Modi hailed the project as a symbol of India’s aviation transformation, stating, “Navi Mumbai International Airport reflects ‘Viksit Bharat’. With this new airport, farmers in Maharashtra will connect directly to markets in West Asia and Europe, attracting investments and new businesses.” He emphasized the UDAN scheme’s role in enabling lakhs of first-time flyers, turning aviation dreams into reality.
The state-of-the-art facility features an AI-enabled terminal with seamless digital innovations, including pre-booked parking slots, online baggage drop, automated immigration, and contactless security checks—designed for an “anxiety-free” passenger experience.
Its lotus-inspired architecture, with 12 sculptural columns mimicking unfurling petals and vast glass facades for natural light, blends modern aesthetics with sustainability, including dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Strategically located just 35 km from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport via the upcoming Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, NMIA will alleviate congestion in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, joining global cities like London and New York with dual international airports.
In its initial phase, the airport will handle 20 million passengers annually with one runway and terminal, expanding to 90 million by 2030 with four runways.
It promises multi-modal connectivity to ports, highways, and metro lines, boosting real estate and generating over 200,000 jobs.
Commercial operations are slated to begin in December 2025, with ticket bookings opening by late October. Airlines like IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air have announced services linking to major Indian cities.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu praised the development, noting, “Navi Mumbai now symbolizes India’s growing global stature.”
This inauguration underscores India’s push to become a global aviation MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) hub by the decade’s end, reinforcing PM Modi’s commitment to world-class infrastructure.
