India, Maharashtra, Navi Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) today, a Rs 19,650 crore development expected to ease air traffic congestion and boost economic growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The new airport, a landmark Greenfield project, will operate alongside the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, aiming to reduce overcrowding and position the city as a major multi-airport hub on the global stage.

Built under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model, NMIA is India’s largest Greenfield airport to date. Spanning 1,160 hectares, it is designed to accommodate up to 90 million passengers per year and handle 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo annually.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to tour the airport facilities before officially inaugurating the project at approximately 3:30 pm today.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also shared a social media post featuring a video to celebrate the launch of this monumental infrastructure project.

Domestic flight operations from NMIA are expected to commence shortly, while international services are projected to begin by December. The airport will feature four terminals and two parallel runways to manage traffic efficiently.

A dedicated VVIP terminal for high-profile travelers is planned, with construction slated to start in 2026 and completion targeted by 2030.

The terminal’s architecture, designed by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects, is inspired by the lotus flower, while the airport will also highlight art that reflects Maharashtra’s rich heritage and culture.

Among its innovative features, the airport will include an Automated People Mover system to connect all four terminals, enabling seamless passenger transfers within the campus.

NMIA will also offer facilities such as storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, solar energy generation with a capacity of around 47 MW, and electric bus services to support public transport. It is set to become India’s first airport connected by a water taxi service.

Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air have already confirmed plans to operate from the new airport. The facility aims to be India’s first fully digital airport, offering paperless operations, digital boarding passes, and a dedicated app providing real-time travel updates.

The airport will be named in honor of the late Dinkar Balu Patil, as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Patil played a key role in ensuring that people affected by the development of Navi Mumbai received fair compensation.

The proposal to name the airport after Patil was initially suggested by the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

The wait is finally over!
After decades of wait, a new era of connectivity is set to begin with the inauguration of The Navi Mumbai International Airport, tomorrow at the hands of Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji.

Built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore, it has an annual passenger handling… pic.twitter.com/Z5bqrNwonc

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 7, 2025