July 15, 2025: Construction of India’s first offshore airport, to be located near Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, is expected to commence in 2026, according to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Once operational, the Vadhvan Airport will become the third major aviation hub in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Speaking at the Western Region Ministers’ Conference on Civil Aviation in Mumbai, Mr Fadnavis confirmed that the state government has already appointed an agency to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the offshore facility. Citing the successful planning of the Rs 76,000 crore Vadhvan greenfield port project in the same area, the Chief Minister questioned why a similar offshore model could not be applied to aviation infrastructure.
At present, MMR has only one functioning airport at Santacruz. A second, being developed in Navi Mumbai by the Adani Group, is nearing completion and is expected to be inaugurated soon. The addition of Vadhvan Airport will play a pivotal role in relieving pressure on existing facilities and catering to the rapidly increasing passenger demand in the region.
Beyond MMR, Mr Fadnavis also discussed the status of the proposed second airport for Pune, to be located in Purandar. He announced that land acquisition for the project is expected to be completed within the next four to five months.
The Chief Minister underscored Maharashtra’s broader ambition to enhance regional air connectivity. Currently, 24 out of the state’s 36 districts have either an airport or an airstrip, and the government aims to extend this coverage to 30 districts. Upgrading existing airstrips remains a key focus.
Mr Fadnavis emphasised that the expansion of airport infrastructure is integral to attracting investment and driving economic growth across the state.
Source: Prop Time News
