A significant chapter in Mumbai’s aviation history is drawing to a close as the last residents of the Air India and Indian Airlines staff colonies in Kalina prepare to vacate their homes. Spread across 184 acres, these residential complexes, some dating back to 1955, represented Air India’s final physical connection to the city where the airline was founded.
Over the past few weeks, the remaining residents—primarily employees of AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL) and AI Airport Services Ltd (AIASL), along with a handful of Air India staff—have gradually moved out. With the final occupants expected to leave on Sunday, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) will formally assume possession of the land that was leased to it nearly two decades ago.
The four colonies comprise 1,683 apartments spread across 106 buildings and once housed generations of aviation workers and their families. Following Air India’s privatisation in 2022, residents and employee unions fought a prolonged legal battle to retain their housing rights. The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which directed occupants to vacate the premises by November 30, 2025. MIAL later extended the timeline until the end of the academic year to minimise disruption for students.
During a recent visit, the colonies reflected a mix of nostalgia and neglect. While several buildings showed visible signs of deterioration, the grounds remained lush with mature fruit trees planted by residents over the decades.
“We’re moving to a rental in an old building in Kalina, but eventually we will move to Virar. I’ve lived here for over 3 decades, my children grew up here, all my memories are tied to this colony,” said an AIESL staffer, requesting anonymity.
The colonies were more than housing complexes. Their sporting facilities nurtured cricketers such as Prithvi Shaw, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube, while schools and community infrastructure supported thousands of families. For many, the departure marks not just the loss of a residence, but the end of a cherished community built over generations.
Source: The Times of India
