Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated Phase One of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation infrastructure. The airport, built at a cost of 19,650 crore rupees, is expected to begin commercial operations by December 2025. With this, Mumbai joins the league of global cities such as London, New York, and Tokyo that have more than one international airport. Before the formal inauguration, the Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the new facility, inspecting its advanced design and passenger amenities. He also interacted with differently abled children who welcomed him warmly with flowers and national flags.

 

 

Addressing the gathering after the inauguration, the Prime Minister said the new airport reflects the vision of a Viksit Bharat and symbolises the nation’s progress, culture, and technological capability. He said the airport’s lotus-shaped design showcases India’s heritage while strengthening trade and tourism links with the world. He said it will also benefit farmers and fishermen by helping them export their produce faster to global markets, attracting investment and generating employment.

 

 

The Prime Minister noted that in 2014, India had only 74 airports, while today the number has increased to more than 160. He said this has been achieved under the UDAAN Yojana, which aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to people from all sections of society. He said India has now become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market. He added that the aim is to make India the global aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub by the end of this decade.

 

 

Emphasising the spirit of self-reliance, the Prime Minister appealed to citizens to adopt the mantra of Swadeshi Apnao, saying India’s progress depends on supporting local industries and indigenous innovation.

 

 

The Prime Minister also inaugurated several other infrastructure projects, including Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 from Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli to Cuffe Parade, and launched the Mumbai One App, India’s first integrated mobility platform covering eleven public transport operators. He also launched the Short-Term Employability Programme, or STEP, which will offer twenty-five hundred new training batches in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Electric Vehicles, solar energy, and additive manufacturing.

 

 

The Prime Minister said the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the newly inaugurated metro and Mumbai One app will together transform travel and connectivity in Mumbai, symbolising the new face of a modern, confident, and developed India.

 

 

At the event, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Maharashtra Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, and industrialist Gautam Adani.

 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Mumbai, arrived at the Raj Bhavan today after the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat welcomed the Prime Minister by presenting him with a memento. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also welcomed the Prime Minister.