September 17, 2025: Mumbai is set to welcome its second international gateway as the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) nears readiness, with the first phase expected by the end of September. Designed as a twin-airport system alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), the facility will allow Mumbai to handle 145–150 million passengers annually once both airports operate at full capacity.
Spread across 1,160 hectares in Ulwe, the Rs 19,647 crore project is being developed in five phases under Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL). Financial closure was achieved in March 2022, with SBI sanctioning Rs 12,770 crore. By 2032, the airport will expand to four terminals with the ability to accommodate 90 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo annually.
“The NMIA will be fully-equipped, meaning it will be many times bigger than the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said in July. He also highlighted its world-class baggage system: “The barcode of the baggage can be read with 360-degree scanners, ensuring it reaches the right place. We have asked the authorities that the baggage claim system in this airport should be the fastest not only in the country but in the entire world.”
Architecturally, the terminal features a lotus-inspired design, blending efficiency with cultural symbolism. Passenger amenities include lounges with runway views, business pods, luxury retail, dining courts, and India’s largest general aviation terminal with 75 aircraft stands and a heliport.
Connectivity is another highlight, with links to the Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, Mumbai Metro Line 8 (Gold Line), and the upcoming Mumbai-Hyderabad high-speed rail. Road access will be facilitated by the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Sion-Panvel Highway, and coastal roads.
With sustainable features such as 37 MW of green power and electric or alternative-fuel vehicles, NMIA is poised to become India’s most modern and eco-friendly airport.
Source: News18
