Navi Mumbai Airport set to begin operations by March 2025: Ajit Pawar
During the presentation of the Maharashtra Budget 2024-25, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar announced that the first phase of the Navi Mumbai airport is expected to be operational by March 2025. The much-anticipated project is being developed by the Adani Group and aims to handle 9 crore passengers annually across five phases.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had previously stated in January that commercial operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport would commence by March 31, 2025. Approximately 55-60 per cent of the project was complete at that time.
The Navi Mumbai Airport is designed to be a 100 per cent green airport, featuring automated passenger movement within its expansive 1600-hectare space. The first two phases will accommodate 2 crore passengers annually, with subsequent phases adding more terminals and a second runway.
The airport will be strategically connected to roads, including NH 4B (348) and the Sion Panvel Highway, along with rail connectivity through the Targhar Railway station. Metro lines, such as DN Nagar to Mandale – Mankhurd (metro line 2D) and Mumbai Airport to Navi Mumbai Airport (metro line 8), will further enhance accessibility. Future plans involve hovercraft connectivity from Colaba and cargo connectivity from Raigad in Phase 2.
Apart from the Navi Mumbai Airport update, Ajit Pawar also shared details about a new MSME policy, the Jal Jeevan Mission, housing initiatives for Divyang individuals, and plans for Maharashtra Bhavan in Ayodhya and Srinagar during the budget presentation.
