October 09, 2025: The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands as a testament to India’s growing ability to deliver world-class infrastructure at unprecedented speed. What was once barren land along the Atal Setu sea bridge has been transformed into a state-of-the-art international airport in little over a year — a feat locals describe as “almost unbelievable.”
The idea of a second airport for Mumbai was conceived in 1997 to ease congestion at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. After PM Modi laid the foundation stone in 2018, the project faced years of delays due to land acquisition challenges, environmental clearances, and the pandemic. Major construction finally began in 2022, but according to locals, the real transformation occurred between late 2023 and 2024, when the 50,000 sq. m. terminal and 3.7 km runway were completed within 18 months.
Anshika Bhogle, a resident of Ulwe, said, “It’s almost unbelievable that the airport got inaugurated so quickly because literally over a year ago, there was no building here.” Another local, Vihaan Shah from Seawoods, added, “We knew an airport was coming, but not this fast… Yesterday, when it was inaugurated, it felt like, ‘Wow, that was quick!’”
The pace of development is striking when compared to other delayed infrastructure projects across India. The airport’s first phase is complete, with additional runways and elevated roads connecting to the Atal Setu still under construction. Despite ongoing work, the NMIA is expected to open for public operations by December.
From political roadblocks to pandemic pauses, the airport’s rapid completion underscores how intent, coordination, and modern construction practices can help India rival the infrastructure efficiency of Western and Southeast Asian nations.
Source: India Today
