India’s financial capital may soon find reprieve from its chronic traffic bottlenecks as Navi Mumbai International Airport prepares to become the first in the country to offer a dedicated water taxi service.
With operations of the greenfield airport targeted to commence by April 2025, authorities are accelerating efforts to ensure seamless and sustainable access through a multi-modal transport system—one that not only leverages road and rail networks but also harnesses water routes as an eco-conscious alternative. The development marks a significant leap toward cleaner mobility infrastructure while also addressing long-standing urban challenges of congestion and travel delays. Officials overseeing the airport’s development, including the planning authority CIDCO, have underscored the urgency of integrating water taxis as part of the airport’s core transit fabric. Once operational, these water taxis are expected to ferry passengers between key coastal locations and the airport, considerably reducing dependency on already choked arterial roads across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The strategic use of India’s western coastline for passenger transit aligns with the state’s broader vision of climate-resilient urban transport that decongests roads, reduces vehicular emissions, and shortens travel time—key tenets of sustainable urbanisation. The water taxis are to be constructed using fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP), a lightweight yet durable material known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and low maintenance cost. This choice is not merely technical but a reflection of policy intent: prioritising both economic feasibility and environmental responsibility. In a city where infrastructure projects often stir debates around displacement and environmental degradation, the emphasis on water-based public transport offers a refreshing pivot toward low-impact mobility solutions that do not call for excessive land acquisition or deforestation.
While water taxi services have been tested in pockets around Mumbai before, their integration into a global-scale transport hub such as an international airport signals a step change in urban design thinking. It affirms the role of transport equity and carbon-conscious planning in shaping the next generation of smart cities. The upcoming airport is also being developed with connectivity to metro lines, national highways, and rail corridors, enabling an interlinked transport ecosystem that seeks to serve not just privileged flyers but every segment of the commuting public. By redefining the idea of last-mile connectivity and blending traditional and modern modes of travel, Navi Mumbai International Airport is positioning itself as a model for transit-oriented development that resonates with global sustainability goals and India’s net-zero ambition.
As the project heads toward completion, the success of the water taxi service will likely depend on timely execution, inter-agency coordination, and affordability for regular citizens. Yet its very conception points to a transformative shift in how Indian cities are beginning to visualise transport—not just as a means to an end, but as a pathway to inclusion, resilience, and environmental stewardship.
Also Read :https://urbanacres.in/navi-mumbai-airport-gets-seamless-transport-web/
Navi Mumbai Airport to Launch Water Taxis
