Infrastructure
Arun Kumar Das
Jan 14, 2024, 09:00 AM | Updated 09:00 AM IST
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Promising to change the aviation landscape of the Mumbai Metropolitan region, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is slated to open by the year-end, as the work has gained pace at the project site.
”This is the country’s project, not just Mumbai’s or Maharashtra’s. I am happy that the physical and financial progress is on time,” said Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who visited the Navi Mumbai International Airport Project on Saturday (13 January).
He conducted a progress review meeting on the status of the project and its operational readiness, followed by a detailed site visit.
The Minister was also apprised about the status of various multi-modal connectivity projects and how the airport will be connected through rail, road and metro.
The review meeting was attended by senior officials of CIDCO, Adani Airport Holding Limited (AAHL) and the government of Maharashtra.
"It is going to help connect both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. I would also like to inform that project will be connected through multimodal connectivity through rail, road, metro and ultimately waterways,” Scindia informed.
In the first year of its opening, it will augment the passenger capacity by 20 million passengers per annum and by 90 million passengers per annum, post completion of the final phase. The project will also have more than 2.6 MT of cargo.
The project envisages India’s multi-modal aviation and transportation hub providing air, road, suburban rail, metro rail, high-speed rail and waterway connectivity as priority.
It will be India’s largest planned general aviation facility, with more than 67 general aviation aircraft stands along with separate heliport operations.
Being built in five phases, all four terminals will be interconnected along with seamless integrated operations on airside and landside for hub operations.
Passenger terminals are designed with the most convenient walking distances, from check-in to boarding gates.
It will have unique fusion of traditional Indian ambience, with futuristic elegance and functionality.
Another key feature of the project is the digital art programme offering vivid experience of local and regional cultural heritage, with new age digital technology exhibiting heritage and culture of India and Maharashtra.
The airport has been planned as one of the most energy efficient and environmentally sustainable airport in the world — with an aim to generate 36 MW of solar power in the final phase.
The airport is also expected to be India’s first airport with refueling dedicated aviation turbine fuel supply lines.