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With Navi Mumbai airport nearing operations, the Maharashtra government has kick-started plans for a third airport in Palghar near Vadhavan port. The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) has floated a request for proposals for the same. The Vadhavan port, situated 130 km from Mumbai, is being planned in two phases with completion by 2039. The port, which is part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, will be one of the world's top 10 ports and will need an estimated investment of INR 76,200 crore. The proposal for the third airport was discussed earlier while the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was in power, with the consideration given to areas in the Palghar district. The action comes as the region's infrastructure needs expand, especially since Mumbai's primary airport runs at almost full capacity. At the same time, Navi Mumbai airport is slated to be opened by May or June, starting with domestic flights before opening for international flights in July.
With Navi Mumbai's long-awaited second airport nearing completion, the Maharashtra government has taken steps towards establishing a third airport near the upcoming Vadhavan port in Palghar. The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), which is responsible for developing and managing airports in the state, has issued a request for proposals for the new project. Advertisement
The Vadhavan port, situated around 130 km away from Mumbai, is being planned as a prime deep-sea port in phases. The development of the port is expected in the first phase by 2030, whereas complete development has been planned for 2039. After functioning, it has been estimated that it will rank among the global top 10 ports. The port forms a part of the broader India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and will be one of the pivotal centers for promoting world trade. An estimated INR 76,200 crore will be required as investment in the project.
Additional airport infrastructure within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is needed because of the clogged Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). The single-runway airport serves more than 50 million passengers a year, running at close to capacity. Noting this, proposals for a second airport in Navi Mumbai were first made as far back as 1997, although the project was several times delayed by issues around land acquisition as well as environmental concerns. The Adani Group acquired the project in 2021 and hastened its development. The first phase of the Navi Mumbai airport is now likely to become operational by May or June, with domestic flights initially, with international operations expected to start in July.
The idea of a third airport in MMR was initially brought forward during the period of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government (2019-2022), which had planned for the creation of a domestic airport in Palghar district, with possible sites like Dapchari and Kelva-Mahim. The same has now gained traction, and an airport's construction near Vadhavan port has been pushed for.
During November's state assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated that construction of a new airport next to the port would shortly begin. Three months prior to this, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said the airport was being proposed on reclaimed land. This move to proceed with this airport is in tandem with the growing significance of Vadhavan port, which was cleared by the Union Cabinet in February 2020 as part of India's maritime push strategy. The port will be deep enough to receive ultra-large container ships, increasing India's competitiveness in global trade. Nonetheless, just as was the case for the project for the Navi Mumbai airport, it has been met with resistance from local fishermen due to concerns over the environment.
With increasing infrastructure needs in Mumbai, a third airport would also enhance connectivity and relieve pressure on current aviation infrastructure. Although the project is in its initial stages, it is a strategic move towards accommodating MMR's economic growth and consolidating India's position as a global trading and logistics hub.
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