Will India's Best 'Off-Shore Airport' Be Built in Mumbai?

Mumbai, July 11 (NationPress) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday that the country's premier 'off-shore airport' is set to be constructed in Mumbai, marking the city’s third airport.

The Chief Minister stated, “Work on this project will commence shortly. Currently, the state boasts airport and runway facilities in 24 districts, with plans to expand to 30 districts in the near future,” during the 'Western Region Ministers Conference' organized by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.

He emphasized the significance of a robust aviation ecosystem for India's development, noting that India is the fastest-growing economy globally. “Aviation was traditionally a central government concern, but states must now prioritize it to avoid falling behind,” he remarked.

Furthermore, he stated that India is on the verge of becoming the world’s third-largest economy, with aviation playing a crucial role in this growth. “We are enhancing runway facilities and attracting entrepreneurs and investors through our improved airport and night landing services,” he added.

A proposal has been forwarded to the central government for establishing a new airport in remote Gadchiroli, with an anticipated investment of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, potentially rising to Rs 10 lakh crore.

Fadnavis highlighted the lengthy process of obtaining the required permissions for the Navi Mumbai Airport, which began in the 1990s and took fifteen years, with seven permissions granted simultaneously by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He stated, “The Navi Mumbai Airport and the Atal Setu will significantly contribute to development. This region, three times larger than Mumbai, is poised for economic growth.” He projected that Maharashtra could evolve into a trillion-dollar economy by 2030, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Vadhavan Port potentially creating a 1.5 trillion dollar economy.

Fadnavis welcomed aviation entrepreneurs to Maharashtra and urged for the relocation of the radar at Dahisar to resolve long-standing issues. He also requested the transmission tower at DN Nagar to be moved.

Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced the appointment of a nodal officer for better coordination between the Centre and states in the aviation sector, along with plans to introduce the 'Udan Yatri Cafe,' an initiative envisioned by Prime Minister Modi.

He added that the Union Aviation Ministry is making decisions to simplify life for the common citizen. Muralidhar Mohol, Union Minister of State for Aviation, stated that the UDAN scheme aims to fulfill the common man’s dream of flying.

“The central government's focus is on expediting aviation services by addressing the aviation challenges of western states through effective coordination,” he concluded.