Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), located in Ulwe near Panvel, is expected to be launched by the end of September. This project, costing Rs 16,000 crore, is one of India’s largest infrastructure developments and will be Mumbai’s second international airport, after the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Santacruz-Andheri.
The Navi Mumbai Airport will have world-class infrastructure. (Photo:X)
The airport covers about 2,865 acres and, once fully built, will be able to manage up to 90 million (9 crore) travelers every year through four terminals. The first part of the project, which includes Terminal 1, is ready and can handle up to 20 million (2 crore) passengers annually. This terminal will have modern security systems and a baggage claim setup that is said to be the quickest in the world.
The airport will also offer seamless access and ease air traffic congestion in the region. (Photo: X)
Facilities for travellers
- Smart check-in areas with machines for self check-in and face-recognition systems.
- One of the fastest baggage claim setups globally (in initial operations).
- Spacious waiting areas, simple one-lane security checks, and advanced screening tools.
The airport will feature spacious waiting areas, simple one-lane security checks, and advanced screening tools. (Photo: X)
Transport and access
The airport is well-connected, as it is close to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Goa highway, and the JNPT port. It will also be linked to Mumbai through various transport routes. One of the key links is the 22-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, also known as Atal Setu, which will bring down the travel time from South Mumbai to Ulwe to just 20 minutes.
The airport covers about 2,865 acres land. (Photo: X)
CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd) is also constructing a 9-km long elevated road to give direct access to the airport. MSRTC plans to run express buses from Thane, Dadar, Vashi, and Panvel, including electric buses. Metro rail connections are also being planned, and Panvel will be developed further as a main transport point.
Two-airport system
With NMIA, Mumbai will join major cities like London, Dubai, and New York that operate more than one international airport. By the year 2032, NMIA and CSMIA together are expected to serve between 150 to 160 million (15-16 crore) passengers every year—similar to the number handled at top airports in Dubai, London, or New York.
The airport will have a separate cargo terminals that can handle up to 800,000 tonnes a year in the beginning. (Photo: X)
Indian airlines such as IndiGo and Akasa Air have already confirmed they will fly from NMIA, and foreign airlines are likely to start soon. The airport will also include India’s largest general aviation terminal with around 75 spots for business jets, a heliport, separate cargo terminals that can handle up to 800,000 tonnes a year in the beginning, a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, and a modern Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower.