Is PM Modi Ready to Launch the Advanced Navi Mumbai International Airport?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Navi Mumbai International Airport to be inaugurated on October 8.
- Partnership between Mumbai International Airport Ltd. and CIDCO.
- Designed for high passenger and cargo capacity.
- Strategically located to enhance air connectivity.
- State-of-the-art facilities for modern air travel.
Mumbai, Oct 6 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to unveil the cutting-edge Navi Mumbai International Airport on October 8. This project is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) involving Mumbai International Airport Ltd (a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd.) with a 74% stake and CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd.) holding the remaining 26%.
The Navi Mumbai Airport will serve as Mumbai's second international airport, following the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. It has recently obtained its aerodrome license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), paving the way for its operational commencement.
Designed to cater to both domestic and international travelers, the airport boasts state-of-the-art amenities, including a 3,700-metre runway capable of accommodating large commercial aircraft, modern passenger terminals, and sophisticated air traffic control systems.
Upon becoming operational, it is anticipated to manage 2 crore passengers annually in its initial phase while addressing the increasing air traffic needs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Western India, thus enhancing India’s global connectivity.
The airport is strategically located 14 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), 22 km from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), 35 km from Mumbai Port Trust (via the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), 32 km from Thane, and 40 km from the power loom town Bhiwandi.
Airlines such as IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have announced their plans to initiate operations from this airport, with initial flights connecting various domestic destinations.
Equipped with a capacity of 0.5 million metric tonnes per annum, the airport will feature a fully automated cargo terminal, a semi-automated Material Handling System (MHS), complete shipment tracking, a truck management system, a cargo community system, and facilities designed for cashless and paperless operations.
Moreover, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is twice the size of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, encompassing 1,160 hectares and being developed in multiple phases.
Once fully complete, this airport is expected to accommodate 90 million passengers and handle over 3.2 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo annually.