Navi Mumbai Airport Reaches 60% Completion, Set for Launch on December 24

Navi Mumbai Airport, a long-anticipated project, has reached a construction milestone with over 57% completion, positioning it for a commercial launch by December 2024, as confirmed by an airport spokesperson.

Significant progress has been made on the runway, with nearly 2800 meters of the 3700-meter strip already laid. The remaining portion is slated for completion by the end of January, following the flattening of a hillock on the site. Concurrently, work on the terminal, Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, and ancillary buildings is in progress.

Indian Oil Corporation is set to lay a common-use underground fuel pipeline from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to the airport. The airport operator is developing fuel facilities inside the terminal, while contracts for baggage handling, x-ray machines, and aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles have been finalized as preparations intensify for the upcoming launch.

Navi Mumbai Airport International Pvt. Ltd., which assumed control of the project in August 2021, has been dedicated to completing the first and second phases of the airport. With a targeted commencement of commercial operations in December 2024, the airport is expected to initially handle 20 million passengers annually.

The Adani Group has been overseeing the project since taking over from the GVK Group in 2021. Despite challenges such as litigation and land acquisition delays that plagued the airport's development over the past four decades, there is now a concerted effort to expedite the project ahead of schedule.

The spokesperson emphasized that the airport will be constructed in five phases, featuring interconnected terminals for hub operations. "Our passenger terminals are designed with the most convenient walking distances, from check-in to boarding gates. We plan to bring in a unique fusion of traditional Indian ambiance with futuristic elegance & functionality," added the spokesperson, underscoring the airport's commitment to offering a seamless and culturally enriched travel experience.

HBL