Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the Navi Mumbai International Airport will open by August this year, marking a key milestone in the state’s infrastructure development.
Speaking at Express Adda, Fadnavis also revealed that a new coastal road linking Atal Setu to the airport will be completed within six months. He said the airport is “almost complete” and noted that an elevated road from Thane and a metro from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai are also underway. The metro project is expected to take five years, while the elevated road will require four years for completion. Fadnavis provided an overview of ongoing development across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA). The area will house thematic cities, including an EDU City that will host campuses for at least 12 foreign universities. Five institutions are likely to receive Letters of Intent from the central government by early June, with plans to accommodate 100,000 students in the new academic hub. Other proposed thematic cities include a Medi City, sports city, knowledge city, and innovation city. Fadnavis said the state will provide core infrastructure while private landholders will be encouraged to bring in ideas and investments. On administrative infrastructure, Fadnavis confirmed that the state secretariat, Mantralaya, will remain at its current location, even as a tunnel from Atal Setu to the coastal road is being developed to significantly cut travel time between Navi Mumbai and South Mumbai.
“This Mantralaya can even serve the new city being built in Navi Mumbai,” he said, adding that he envisions a new administrative precinct integrating several scattered government offices. Fadnavis also announced that Mumbai will soon see the introduction of water taxis, integrated with metro and railway ticketing systems. On major transport corridors, he said the Virar–Alibaug and Goregaon–Mulund projects are progressing, with land acquisition underway for the former and construction commenced on the latter. On suburban rail, Fadnavis stated he has requested the Union Railways Minister to convert all local trains to AC services while maintaining standard fare rates, a proposal he believes may be approved soon. Regarding Mumbai’s road network, the CM said 78% of Phase 1 of road concretisation is complete, with the remaining works expected after the monsoon. Phase 2 is set for completion by end-2026. He also reiterated his commitment to keeping the Mumbai Turf Club free of real estate development, affirming that it will be converted into a green public park. “The coastal road and racecourse will be among Mumbai’s largest public spaces,” he said, citing an affidavit submitted to the central government.
Fadnavis also spoke about the proposed Vadhvan Port, which is expected to become one of India’s largest deep-water ports. He said a third airport for the Mumbai region could come up in the port area over the next four to five years. When asked about the environment not being an election issue, Fadnavis said, “The new generation is more environmentally aware. It may not be a top issue yet, but it soon will be.”
