Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Phase 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the largest Greenfield airport project in India, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by the Adani Group. Built at an estimated cost of ₹19,650 crore across 1,160 hectares, the airport is expected to start domestic flights in the coming weeks and begin international operations by December.
Before the formal ceremony, the Prime Minister toured the terminal along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and industrialist Gautam Adani. The walkthrough covered passenger areas, operational zones, and planned transport links.
Speaking at the inauguration, PM Modi described the airport as a major new gateway for the city and surrounding region. He said the facility is projected to become one of the largest hubs in Asia for passenger and cargo connectivity, providing farmers and small businesses in Maharashtra with direct links to international markets. “This airport will help local producers and traders reach buyers in the Middle East and Europe,” he added.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said that Navi Mumbai has become a symbol of hope and ambition. He described the new international airport as a landmark facility that highlights India expanding its role on the global stage.
He further noted that under PM Narendra Modi, the aviation network across the nation has grwon into a major force. Over the past 11 years, 90 airports have been commissioned across India, with a new airport opening approximately every 45 days — a pace rarely matched anywhere in the world.
The airport, situated in the Ulwe area of Navi Mumbai, aims to relieve pressure on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which handles over 45 million passengers annually. The facility features two parallel runways, four terminals, and an Automated People Mover system connecting all terminals.
Sustainability forms a key part of the project, with 47 megawatts of solar power capacity, electric bus services, and infrastructure for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. A water taxi link is also planned to connect the airport with other parts of the Mumbai metropolitan region.
The main terminal, developed by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects, takes inspiration from the lotus flower and incorporates art highlighting the heritage of Maharashtra. Chief Minister Fadnavis announced that the facility will carry the name of Dinkar Balu Patil, a leader who advocated fair treatment for families displaced during the early development of Navi Mumbai.
Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air have confirmed plans to operate from the new facility. Once fully operational, NMIA is expected to serve tens of millions of travellers each year and become a major international gateway for the region.
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