PM Modi inaugurates NMIA—India’s new gateway to the West

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA)—a landmark greenfield project that promises to redefine air connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Western India.

Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, NMIA is operated by Navi Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (NMIAL), a joint venture between Adani Airports Holdings Ltd. (74%) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd. (CIDCO) (26%). The new airport is designed to decongest Mumbai International Airport and transform Navi Mumbai into a global aviation and logistics hub.

Located at Ulwe, about 37 km from South Mumbai, the airport spans 1,160 hectares (2,866 acres). Its architectural design draws inspiration from the lotus, India’s national flower, featuring 12 sculptural columns symbolizing unfolding petals and 17 mega-columns that support the terminal’s vast canopies.

World-Class Infrastructure

The first phase, inaugurated by PM Modi, features a single integrated terminal capable of handling 20 million passengers per annum (MPPA). Upon completion, NMIA will expand its capacity to 90 MPPA, supported by two parallel Code F-compliant runways, each 3,700 metres long and 60 meters wide.

Terminal 1 houses 66 check-in counters, 22 self-baggage drop points, 29 aerobridges, and 10 bus gates, offering a seamless, contactless travel experience. The cargo complex, with an initial capacity of 0.5 million metric tonnes annually, incorporates automated cargo handling systems, digital shipment tracking, and paperless documentation. Dedicated facilities include temperature-controlled zones for pharmaceuticals and perishables, express cargo and drone handling zones, and secure enclosures for valuables and live animals.

Smart and Sustainable

Positioned as India’s first 5G-enabled smart airport, NMIA features Digi Yatra-based contactless processing, IoT-enabled real-time operations, and zero manual ID verification. Through the Adani OneApp, passengers can access digital retail, dining, and lounge services.

The airport will host over 110 retail and F&B outlets, premium CIP lounges for 500 passengers, and an 80-room transit hotel. Additional passenger services include baggage delivery and wrapping facilities.

Emphasizing its Green Airport vision, NMIA integrates sustainability into every layer of its operations — from 47 MW of solar power generation and rainwater harvesting to wastewater recycling and electric vehicle (EV) fleet adoption.

Strategic Cargo and Connectivity Edge

NMIA is certified by IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) and the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), affirming its compliance with international safety and operational standards.

Its location offers a significant multimodal logistics advantage, positioned 14 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and 35 km from Mumbai Port Trust, ensuring smooth sea–air connectivity for cargo movement.

With the launch of NMIA, India adds another jewel to its aviation crown — a smart, sustainable, and globally benchmarked airport that is poised to reshape regional connectivity, trade logistics, and passenger experience across Western India.