November 12, 2025: The Terminal 1A of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) — once a bustling hub for domestic flights — is set for demolition after remaining closed since 2016. The move comes as part of Mumbai’s broader airport expansion and modernization plans. Officials confirmed that the demolition will include the terminal building, a defunct chiller plant, and a temporary shed located on the premises, with the cleared area earmarked for new development.
According to sources, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which oversees planning for the airport zone, granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the demolition on September 24, 2025.
Inaugurated in 1992, Terminal 1A once handled domestic operations for the erstwhile Indian Airlines, which was later merged with Air India. Despite limited space for vehicle movement and parking, the terminal’s VVIP rooms hosted several high-profile meetings featuring dignitaries such as former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former UPA president Sonia Gandhi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A former Air India employee recalled, “It was considered state-of-the-art at the time, and many dignitaries preferred using it. In 2014, when Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat and visited Mumbai to launch his election campaign, he received a grand welcome there.”
Following the 2006 suburban train blasts and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the terminal’s meeting rooms were used by officials for key security discussions. However, years of disuse have left the structure visibly deteriorated, with cracks in several parts.
The CSMIA has also sought expressions of interest for refurbishing Terminal 1, though the demolition of 1A is expected only after the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) becomes operational, likely by 2029–30, to ensure smooth air traffic. “Eventually, Terminal 1 will also be demolished to make way for a larger, modern structure,” an official added.
Source: Construction World
