Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), calling it a transformative step in India’s aviation infrastructure and a reflection of the country’s vision of “Viksit Bharat.” Developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model by the Adani Group, the greenfield airport will open for both domestic and international commercial flights in December this year.
PM Modi Highlights Economic, Connectivity Boost
Speaking at the inauguration, PM Modi said that NMIA will act as Asia’s largest connectivity hub and a major driver of economic growth. He emphasized how the airport will connect farmers in Maharashtra to markets in the Middle East and Europe, increasing trade opportunities and attracting new investments. He also lauded the launch of Mumbai’s fully underground metro network as a significant engineering feat.
“Our target is to make India the global aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub by the end of this decade,” he said. Modi highlighted that India has more than doubled its number of airports from 74 in 2014 to over 160 today.
Key Features Of Navi Mumbai International Airport
The first phase of NMIA has been built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore, spanning 1,160 hectares. Once fully operational, the airport will handle 90 million passengers annually and process 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo, making it one of the world’s major aviation hubs.
Initially, the airport will operate a single runway and terminal, serving 20 million passengers yearly with a capacity to handle 20–22 flights per hour. The facility includes an Automated People Mover (APM) system linking terminals, dedicated Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) storage, and cutting-edge technology such as 5G networks, IoT sensors, automated baggage systems, and Digi Yatra contactless processing.
The terminal will have 66 check-in points, 22 self-service baggage drop stations, 29 boarding bridges, and 10 bus gates. Cargo operations will feature full automation, digital tracking, and climate-controlled storage for medicines and perishables. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has praised NMIA for its potential to ease congestion in Mumbai and generate substantial economic and social benefits.
