July 28, 2025: A pre-feasibility study for the development of a greenfield airport near the Vadhavan Port area in Maharashtra has officially commenced, with the final report expected within the next six to nine months, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Earlier this month, a joint venture between Grant Thornton and Nippon Koei India was awarded the contract to prepare the pre-feasibility report on behalf of the Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADC), a Government of Maharashtra undertaking. “The initial site visit has already been completed and work on the study is currently underway,” an official confirmed.
The proposed airport project forms part of a broader infrastructure push announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at transforming the Vadhavan Port region in Palghar district into a major logistics and trade hub along Maharashtra’s western coastline. The new airport is intended to complement the all-weather, deep-draft greenfield port at Vadhavan, currently under development.
As part of a multimodal connectivity plan, the region will benefit from integrated road and rail infrastructure, while the airport will introduce a third mode of transport, enabling seamless cargo and passenger movement. The development is also expected to enhance connectivity with Bhiwandi, one of India’s largest warehousing hubs, situated in close proximity.
Officials noted that the airport’s integration with the Vadhavan Port and surrounding logistics zones would contribute to the government’s vision of creating a robust multimodal transport corridor. The aim is to boost economic activity in the region by improving trade efficiency and reducing logistic bottlenecks.
The initiative reflects Maharashtra’s strategic efforts to position itself as a central node in India’s global trade network through well-planned infrastructure expansion and enhanced regional connectivity.
Source: Economic Times
