After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cancelled visit to the Navi Mumbai Airport site on 5 October, the Maharashtra state government has extended invitations to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to witness a test landing on the newly constructed runway of this greenfield airport.
Progress on Navi Mumbai Airport Construction
The City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is overseeing the construction of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with the contract awarded to Adani Airports. The airport’s runway is now fully complete, marking a significant milestone in the project’s timeline.
With elections approaching, the Shiv Sena-BJP and NCP-led government is eager to showcase their achievements, particularly with the first phase of NMIA slated for completion by March 2025. To demonstrate the airport’s readiness, CIDCO has engaged in discussions with the Indian Air Force regarding a test landing of a C-130J transport plane and a Su-30 fighter aircraft on the airport’s 3,750-meter runway.
A senior state government official commented, “We had requested the Prime Minister to witness the aircraft landing. However, he has a full schedule at Pohradevi in Vidarbha, followed by the inauguration of Mumbai Metro 3 and a meeting in Thane.” The official continued, “Since the Prime Minister’s visit is not possible, we have invited Rajnath Singh and Ram Mohan Naidu to come to Mumbai.”
The C-130J, known for its ability to land and take off from short runways, such as those at the Juhu aerodrome, is expected to provide a demonstration of the airport’s capabilities.
Infrastructure Developments
In recent months, the Airport Authority of India successfully conducted Instrument Landing System (ILS) trials at the site. The main terminal building is nearing completion, with CIDCO also tasked with preparing a detailed project report for a metro line connecting the airport to the existing transportation network. Additionally, CIDCO has issued a tender for a coastal road to link the Atal Setu bridge with the NMIA.
The ₹16,000-crore airport project, once operational, is set to significantly enhance Mumbai’s air connectivity while alleviating congestion at the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
With new invitations extended to key ministers and ongoing preparations for test landings, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is on track for its scheduled milestones. This ambitious project not only aims to bolster Mumbai’s air traffic capacity but also to transform the region into a key hub for domestic and international travel, providing significant economic benefits to Maharashtra.
