The Maharashtra government is aiming to build a third airport close to the future Vadhavan port in Palghar as the much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport approaches completion. By releasing a request for proposals for the enormous project, the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) has formally started the process.
Vadhavan port, located approximately 130 km from Mumbai, is being designed as a major deep-sea port, with its first phase expected to be operational by 2030 and full development planned by 2039. Upon completion, it is projected to rank among the world’s top 10 ports, playing a crucial role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The project is estimated to require an investment of INR 76,200 crore, underscoring its significance in boosting India’s trade and logistics network.
Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), a single-runway facility, is operating at near full capacity, handling over 50 million passengers annually. Recognising this challenge, the idea of a second airport in Navi Mumbai was first introduced in 1997 but faced prolonged delays due to land acquisition and environmental concerns. The Adani Group took over the project in 2021, accelerating its development. The airport’s first phase is expected to commence domestic operations by mid-2025, with international services to follow shortly thereafter.
The concept of a third airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) initially surfaced during the tenure of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government (2019-2022), which proposed a domestic airport in Palghar district. Possible locations such as Dapchari and Kelva-Mahim were considered. Now, with growing infrastructural demands, the push for an airport near Vadhavan port has gained renewed momentum.
During the November state assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that work on the new airport will soon begin. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had emphasised three months prior that the airport would be constructed on reclaimed ground, in keeping with Vadhavan port’s overall growth. As part of India’s maritime expansion policy, the Union Cabinet approved the port in February 2020 with the goal of enhancing India’s competitiveness in international trade and accommodating ultra-large container ships. However, because of environmental issues, the proposal has encountered opposition from nearby fishing communities, much to the Navi Mumbai airport.
With Mumbai’s infrastructure demands increasing, a third airport in the MMR would ease congestion, improve connectivity, and support the region’s economic aspirations. Although still in the early stages, this project marks a strategic move towards strengthening India’s global presence in aviation, trade, and logistics.
Source: Prop News Time
