PM Modi to Inaugurate Navi Mumbai Airport, Final Metro-3 Phase on October 8–9

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and the final phase of Mumbai’s Metro-3 line on October 8 and 9. The event will also mark the launch of other important metro stretches in the city.

Earlier, reports suggested the inauguration might take place on September 30. However, it has now been confirmed for the second week of October to align with the Prime Minister’s visit to Mumbai for the International Fintech Festival.

Metro-3 Becomes Fully Operational

With the inauguration of the last phase, the 33.5 km Colaba–Bandra–SEEPZ Metro-3 corridor will be fully functional. The first phase from Aarey to BKC was opened by PM Modi in October 2024, followed by the second phase between BKC and Acharya Atre Road (Worli Naka) in May 2025. On October 8, the final stretch from Acharya Atre Road to Cuffe Parade will be inaugurated, completing the line.

The Prime Minister will also launch the first phase of Metro Line-2B, connecting Mandale to Chembur (Diamond Garden), further improving Mumbai’s east–west connectivity.

Government Proposals and Land Use

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state has formally proposed naming the Navi Mumbai International Airport after social activist D B Patil. The Centre has reportedly given a positive response.

Fadnavis also raised the issue of 58 acres of land in Dahisar (East), owned by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This land, originally reserved for a metro car shed but left unused due to an HF Receiving Station, has been requested to be handed over to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). He said the land could then be opened for public use and urban development, while also tackling height restriction issues in the area.

Navi Mumbai International Airport Details

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed as a greenfield project under Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd., a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. (74%) and CIDCO (26%).

The airport’s first phase will be able to handle 20 million passengers annually and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo. Future phases are expected to increase capacity to 90 million passengers and 3.2 million metric tonnes of cargo.

Air India Group Plans

Air India Group has announced that its low-cost carrier, Air India Express, will be the first airline to operate from NMIA. In Phase 1, it will start with 20 daily departures (40 air traffic movements) to 15 cities.

By mid-2026, the group plans to expand operations to 55 daily departures, including international flights. By the winter of 2026, this will rise to 60 daily departures (120 ATMs).