Mumbai- India- In a recent update disclosed by the City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is steadily advancing towards its anticipated operational milestone in 2024. As of the initial week of November, the cumulative progress in civil development has reached 17.85%, complemented by financial advancements at 18.27%.
CIDCO’s report highlights substantial accomplishments, with half of the overall project completion, covering critical tasks such as rock-cutting and site-filling. Notable achievements include the imminent conclusion of south runway filling, with plans to initiate the laying of granular sub base next week. The hill-cutting for the terminal building footprint area has reached completion, marking a significant 95% achievement in the excavation for the basement/foundation. A noteworthy moment occurred on November 2 with the casting of the inaugural mega-column footing.
Significant strides are also evident in the blasting and excavation activities related to essential structures like the Multi Level Car Park (MLCP), Central Utility Plant building, and Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited project office.
NMIA, positioned as one of the nation’s largest greenfield international airports, is being executed through a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The overarching objective is to cater to the projected air traffic demand of 100 million passengers annually in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region by 2030.
The expansive airport complex, spanning 1,160 hectares, is intricately planned with two parallel runways, three passenger terminals, and associated infrastructure. The revised commercial operation deadline for both Phase I and Phase II is firmly set for December 2024, targeting an overall annual capacity of 20 million passengers and a cargo handling capacity of 0.80 million tonnes.
Leading the charge, GVK Airport Developers has committed a substantial investment of Rs85 billion ($1.19 billion) for the initial phase, with Yes Bank taking the pivotal roles of lead bank and mandate lead arranger for Phase 1 and 2 of the project.
Expectations are high for the Navi Mumbai Airport project, poised to generate significant employment opportunities, including 142,000 direct and 200,000 indirect jobs. L&T Construction has recently secured a crucial contract for the airport’s construction, further underlining the project’s momentum.
As the project progresses seamlessly, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expresses confidence that the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport will be fully operational in 2024. Recognized as a key infrastructure initiative, the airport holds immense significance for enhancing connectivity, job creation, and contributing to the economic growth of the region.