Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced plans for a third airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), aiming to alleviate increasing air traffic demands in the state. Set to be located in Palghar, approximately 95 kilometres from Mumbai, this new airport will complement the operational Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
Addressing the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister Shinde highlighted the necessity for another airport in the region due to the saturation levels of existing facilities. CSMIA, the country’s second busiest airport, is nearing its capacity limit, while the first phase of NMIA is expected to commence operations by the end of 2024, eventually catering to 40 million passengers annually. Palghar, part of the MMR and known for its extensive coastline, has been identified with potential sites at Kelva-Mahim and Dapchari for the new airport. However, land acquisition processes have yet to commence, pending further approvals and clearances.
“The Palghar airport project is crucial for managing future air traffic between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports. Planning and development efforts are underway to establish a functional facility that will initially support small aircraft, emergency operations, and VIP movements,” officials stated. The envisaged airport is projected to start operations with limited capacities, focusing on essential services such as disaster relief and executive travel. Future expansions will be tailored to meet escalating aviation demands, bolstering connectivity and economic growth across the region.
