Rs 19,650 cr project to ease congestion at Mumbai airport Mumbai, Oct 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), calling it a landmark project that reflects India’s rising aspirations and commitment to world-class infrastructure. Addressing a large gathering in Mumbai, the Prime Minister recalled his 2014 promise that “those wearing hawai chappals will also be able to fly in hawai jahaz,” noting that projects like NMIA are bringing that vision of inclusive development to life. “The era when air travel was a luxury for a few is over. Today, every Indian, regardless of background, dreams of flying , and projects like Navi Mumbai International Airport are turning that dream into reality,” Modi said, drawing applause from the audience. Developed under a public-private partnership model, NMIA is located in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and spans over 1,160 hectares. In its first phase, the airport is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually, with plans to expand its capacity to 90 million per year. Built at an estimated cost of ₹19,650 crore, NMIA is expected to significantly reduce congestion at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and elevate Mumbai’s position as a global aviation hub. The airport terminal, inspired by the lotus flower, symbolizes purity, progress, and sustainability. Designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, the terminal features cutting-edge energy-efficient systems, extensive use of natural light, and modern passenger amenities. The architecture blends sleek, futuristic design with Indian cultural elements — a reflection of the country’s commitment to tradition and innovation. Equipped with three interconnected passenger terminals, the airport will cater to domestic and international operations seamlessly. The first phase includes a single runway capable of handling wide-bodied aircraft like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. Future expansions will see an additional runway and terminal buildings, allowing NMIA to match the operational scale of some of the busiest airports in Asia. NMIA is also among India’s most sustainable airports, featuring rainwater harvesting systems, solar power generation, and a vast green belt to offset its carbon footprint. It is being developed as an IGBC Platinum-rated green airport, making it one of the most environmentally conscious aviation projects in the country. The airport will serve as a multi-modal connectivity hub, directly linked to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, the Navi Mumbai Metro, suburban railway lines and upcoming water transport routes — ensuring faster access from Mumbai, Thane and Pune regions. Once operational, passengers will be able to reach the airport from South Mumbai in less than 45 minutes via the new Trans Harbour Link. Leading airlines including IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India are expected to commence operations soon, with domestic services in the initial phase followed by international flights as the airport becomes fully functional. Officials said the airport’s cargo terminal will handle over one million tonnes of goods annually, providing a major boost to India’s logistics and export sector. Officials told Rising Kashmir that the airport will reshape the economic geography of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs in aviation, logistics, hospitality and real estate. It is expected to spur development in areas such as Panvel, Kharghar and Taloja, transforming Navi Mumbai into a major commercial and residential hub. As twilight settled over the city’s new skyline, the illuminated runway symbolised not just the launch of a world-class facility but the beginning of a new chapter in India’s aviation story — one defined by vision, innovation and the collective will to soar higher.