Maharashtra Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Monday that domestic flights to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport are expected to begin in April and the trial was successfully held.
Pawar, who proposed the budget in the Maharashtra Parliament, also owns a financial portfolio, said he worked at Navini Mumbai Airport. He also proposed a third airport to Mumbai near the Vadhvan port in Pargar district.
The newly developed Navi Mumbai International Airport covers an area of 1,160 hectares in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, and will be able to handle 90 million passengers and 2.6 million tons of cargo each year, Pawar said.
“About 85% of the projects have been completed and have been successfully tested. Domestic flights are scheduled to begin in April 2025,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister announced that work on the new Metropolitan Route will connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with Navi Mumbai Airport.
He said night landing facilities will be provided at Serdi Airport soon.
Pawar also announced that Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train station will appear near the Vadhvan port.
Mumbai Airport Terminal 1 is to be closed for renovation
In connection with this, the Terminal 1 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will be closed for renovation this year. The renovation is designed to improve its capacity to handle 20 million passengers.
According to an official statement from Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the project will begin in a phased manner in November 2025. The initial phase will involve the demolition of the current structure and a new terminal will be constructed later.
During the reconstruction process, Mumbai Airport Terminal 2 and the newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport will cater to passengers.
After the reconstruction phase is expected to be completed by 2029, the Terminal 1 of Mumbai Airport is expected to have a capacity of 20 million people per year, a figure that is 42% higher than the current capacity.
(Input with PTI)
