Navi Mumbai International Airport A Game Changer for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region

Navi Mumbai International Airport, located in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, is now officially called the D B Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport. It is named after Late Loknete Dinkar Balu Patil, who was a senior member of the Peasants and Workers Party of India. He campaigned for equitable compensation for Navi Mumbai farmers, whose lands were allocated by CIDCO for the development of the new city.

Upon completion, the airport will serve as the second airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), relieving congestion and augmenting Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Crescera Group has secured land in the area surrounding the Navi Mumbai International Airport, situated within the development zones governed by MMRDA, CIDCO, and NAINA.

• Project Information :

The overall development of the Airport is being undertaken by the Adani Group.

The greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport is being developed by CIDCO through a public-private partnership (PPP) model on a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) basis in five phases. The project’s detailed design consultant, L&T Infrastructure Engineering Limited, was appointed by CIDCO. RITES, on behalf of CIDCO, prepared the airport’s masterplan. Jacobs Engineering Group from Texas contributed by developing a detailed model for sizing the terminal area and facilities. London-based Zaha Hadid Architects took charge of designing the passenger terminals and the air traffic control tower.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport, is designed to accommodate an annual traffic of 90 million passengers upon completion. Spanning across 1,160 hectares, the project is anticipated to cost approximately 16,700 crores in total.

• Commencement & Present status :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project by laying the foundation stone on February 18, 2018. Construction started in August 2021. Phase 1 and Phase 2 are slated to be completed and operational by 31 March 2025, with the entire airport expected to be fully operational by 2032.

• Project cost & area :

The anticipated project cost is estimated to be ₹16,700 crore (approximately US$2.0 billion).

The airport encompasses an area of 1,160 hectares, with CIDCO having transferred the complete 2,866 acres of land to Adani.

• Connectivity :

The airport will be accessible via roads in three directions: NH 4B (348), the Sion Panvel Highway, and through Atal Setu. It will connect to the railway network via Targhar Railway Station. Metro connectivity will be provided by Metro Line 2D (DN Nagar to Mandale – Mankhurd), Metro Line 8 (Mumbai Airport to Navi Mumbai Airport), and the Navi Mumbai Pendhar Belapur Taloja Metro Line. Future initiatives aim to establish access to the airport through hovercraft services from Colaba and cargo operations from Raigad during Phase 2 with future plans of water connectivity as well.

• Benefits for Real Estate in Third Mumbai & Navi Mumbai :

The establishment of Navi Mumbai International Airport is set to catalyze the development of an aerocity nearby, significantly boosting the real estate market in Navi Mumbai and its neighboring areas. Since the project was announced in 2018, these regions have witnessed growth in the real estate sector, with further potential for property rates to rise around the airport. Improved infrastructure and efficient connectivity from the airport to other parts of the city are also expected to attract multinational corporations (MNCs) and startups to establish their offices in adjacent areas

The positive developments surrounding the international airport are expected to drive demand in the residential sector. An increasing number of individuals, including migrants, may move to adjacent suburbs seeking improved job prospects and quality of life. Consequently, there will be significant demand for both affordable and high-end residential properties in Navi Mumbai.Third Mumbai is planned to be a fully integrated city featuring residential and commercial towers, banks, data centers, sports facilities, universities, government offices, and knowledge parks.

Key Details of the Project

1. Location:
   • The airport is located in Panvel (around 35 km from Mumbai city center) and is in proximity to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the proposed Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Sea Bridge).
2. Developing Agency:
   • The Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL), a joint venture, is responsible for the development of the airport.
     • NMIAL is a consortium of GVK Group, CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited), and Adani Group.
     • The Adani Group took over the development in 2020 after acquiring GVK Group’s stake in the project.
3. Project Timeline:
   • The first phase is expected to be operational by 2024-2025, with full-scale operations expected in the late 2020s.
4. Project Cost/Investment:
   • The estimated cost of the project is around ₹16,000 to ₹17,000 crore (approximately USD 2.2 to 2.3 billion).
   • The initial phase is expected to cost about ₹8,000-9,000 crore.

Runways and Airside Facilities

1. Runways:
   • The airport is planned to have two parallel runways.
     • Runway 1 will be 3,700 meters long (approximately 12,139 feet).
     • Runway 2 will be similarly sized, allowing for large aircraft and long-haul international flights.
2. Taxiways and Apron:
   • Taxiways and apron areas are designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft like Boeing 747 and Airbus A380.

Terminals and Airside Infrastructure

1. Terminals:
   • Terminal 1 will primarily cater to domestic flights.
   • Terminal 2 is designed for international flights.
   • Terminal Capacity: The first phase of NMIA is expected to handle 12 million passengers per year. The full capacity, when both terminals are operational, is expected to reach around 60 million passengers per year.
   • Passenger Amenities: Both terminals are planned to have state-of-the-art amenities including lounges, retail spaces, dining, duty-free shopping, and integrated technology for seamless passenger experience.
2. Gates:
   • Each terminal will be equipped with multiple boarding gates. Initially, around 40-45 gates are expected to be operational in the first phase.

Land Parcel and Area

1. Land Area:
   • The airport will be developed across a sprawling 1,160-hectare (2,870-acre) land parcel. This will include space for the runway, terminals, cargo facilities, parking areas, and future expansion.
2. Expansion Plans:
   • There are provisions to expand the airport as demand grows, including the possibility of adding more runways, terminals, and an extended cargo terminal.

Staffing and Operations

1. Staffing Needs:
   • The airport will generate direct and indirect employment for thousands of individuals. The first phase of the airport is expected to create approximately 25,000-30,000 jobs, with the full-scale operations estimated to create over 50,000 direct jobs.
   • Staff will include operations personnel, security, customer service, air traffic controllers, ground staff, and technical support.
2. Security and Infrastructure:
   • The airport will adhere to international standards for security, air traffic control, and passenger safety. It will also integrate cutting-edge technologies for surveillance, biometric screening, and automation.

Other Features and Development Plans

1. Cargo Facilities:
   • The cargo terminal is expected to handle both general cargo and perishable goods (e.g., pharmaceuticals, agricultural products).
   • The cargo capacity in the first phase is designed to handle around 250,000 tons annually.
2. Connectivity:
   • Road Access: The airport will be well-connected to Mumbai via a dedicated expressway and the upcoming Mumbai Trans Harbour Link.
   • Rail Connectivity: Future plans include a dedicated metro link and railway stations linking the airport to the rest of the region.
3. Sustainability:
   • The airport is designed with a focus on sustainability and green technologies.
     • Features include rainwater harvesting, solar power generation, and green building certifications (LEED, etc.).
     • A green belt will be developed around the airport, with plans for sustainable landscaping and water conservation.

Budget and Financials

• Initial Investment: ₹8,000–9,000 crore (phase 1).
  
• Total Investment for Full Scale: ₹16,000–17,000 crore (for both phases).
  
• The project will have a mix of private and public funding.
  • Adani Group (private sector) is leading the development, while CIDCO (a government agency) plays a crucial role in land acquisition and overall coordination.

Expected Benefits and Impact

1. Decongestion of Mumbai’s existing airport: The new airport will ease the strain on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
2. Regional Economic Growth: The airport is expected to boost the local economy in Panvel and the surrounding regions, offering a hub for industries like aviation, tourism, logistics, and hospitality.
3. Tourism and Trade: It will facilitate global connectivity, driving both international tourism and trade.
4. Employment Generation: Both direct and indirect jobs will be created in the construction, operation, and ancillary services.