Will Navi Mumbai International Airport Elevate Pune's Industries?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Navi Mumbai International Airport will enhance connectivity and access to global markets.
- It is designed to handle 2 crore passengers annually in its first phase.
- The airport is a result of a Public-Private Partnership.
- It will significantly boost industries in Pune and surrounding regions.
- State-of-the-art facilities will support both international and domestic travel.
New Delhi, Oct 7 (NationPress) The cutting-edge Navi Mumbai International Airport, anticipated to accommodate 2 crore passengers annually in its initial phase, is set to not only streamline travel but also grant direct access to global markets for businesses in Pune, stated Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate this 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 26%.
“The launch of the international airport at Navi Mumbai will elevate Maharashtra to unprecedented levels. This is a moment of pride not only for Navi Mumbai but also for the entire state,” remarked Mohol in a post on X.
The project promises considerable advantages for Pune.
“Improved business and industrial connectivity will facilitate direct access to global markets for industries in Pune, Mumbai, and Konkan. This will enhance tourism and investment, unlocking new growth opportunities for Pune’s IT, automobile, and educational sectors,” he added.
The enhanced transportation and logistics infrastructure will play a pivotal role in simplifying export-import operations. This marks not just the inception of an airport but the dawn of a new chapter in Maharashtra’s journey towards self-reliance,” Mohol emphasized.
The airport is designed to serve both domestic and international passengers, featuring state-of-the-art amenities including a 3,700-metre runway capable of accommodating large commercial flights, modern passenger terminals, and sophisticated air traffic control systems.
Located just 14 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), 22 km from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Taloja Industrial area, 35 km from Mumbai Port Trust (via Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), 32 km from Thane, and 40 km from the power loom hub Bhiwandi, the airport will see airlines like IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express launching services from its premises, with initial flights targeting various domestic destinations.
With an operational capacity of 0.5 million metric tonnes annually, the airport will also 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 transactions.
Upon completion, the airport is projected to serve 90 million passengers and manage over 3.2 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo each year.