As part of its ambitious infrastructure development plans, the Modi-led government is planning to build India’s first offshore airport close to Mumbai, a Bloomberg report quoting people familiar with the project said. Drawing influence from international models like Hong Kong International Airport and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport, both of which are situated on reclaimed ground, the airport will be constructed on an artificial island close to the Vadhvan seaport along India’s west coast.
The project has secured preliminary approvals from the federal environment and defence departments, as well as the Maharashtra state government, following a meeting last month. The Airports Authority of India will assist in conducting feasibility studies, which will help determine the investment required for the venture.
The Vadhvan airport, which is about 125 kilometres away from Mumbai’s current international airport, demonstrates the Modi administration’s intention to build extensive infrastructure. At a rally in Maharashtra last November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that the airport’s construction had begun.
India is currently making significant efforts to bridge its vast infrastructure deficit, the second-largest in the world after Brazil, with substantial investments being funneled into transportation, energy, and aviation projects.
The Vadhvan airport has a number of obstacles despite its ambitious plan, one of which is the requirement to produce enough passenger volume to warrant the significant investment. Some recently constructed airports in smaller towns have struggled with low usage rates, despite the government’s continued drive for more regional air connectivity.
Envisioned as Mumbai’s third airport, Vadhvan’s success will depend on efficient transit connections. Plans include integrating it with existing Mumbai airports and the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport, currently being developed by the Adani Group. To enhance accessibility, infrastructure proposals include road and high-speed rail links, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train expected to make a stop near the airport. Additionally, the New Delhi-Mumbai and Mumbai-Vadodara expressways will facilitate swift connectivity for passengers.
These kinds of large-scale infrastructure projects frequently take more than ten years to complete. The largest artificial island airport in the world, Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport in China, is anticipated to open by 2035 as a model. When finished, the Vadhvan seaport will be three times bigger than the largest ports in India today, and the nearby offshore airport should ease traffic and land acquisition issues that usually impede such growth.
Government representatives from India’s aviation, environment, and defence ministries have not yet responded to queries regarding the project, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ office has remained silent on the matter, according to Bloomberg’s report.
Source: Financial Express
