India is set to build its first offshore airport near Mumbai, the country’s financial capital, as part of the Narendra Modi-led government’s initiative to transform the nation’s infrastructure, sources familiar with the matter were quoted as saying in a Bloomberg report.
According to the report, the new airport will be located on an artificial island close to the Vadhvan seaport along India’s west coast. The sources, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information, informed that the design of the airport will be similar to Hong Kong International Airport and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport, both of which are situated on man-made islands.
Approvals and plans for Vadhvan Airport in motion
The Bloomberg report also stated that the project received initial approvals from the federal environment and defense departments, as well as the Maharashtra state government, in a meeting held last month. Feasibility studies will be launched, with the Airports Authority of India aiding the process. Once those studies are complete, an estimated investment figure will be revealed.
The Vadhvan airport, located about 125 kilometers from Mumbai’s current international airport, highlights the scale of the Modi government’s ambitious plans, while also presenting significant challenges. Prime Minister Modi had mentioned the start of construction for the Vadhvan airport during an election rally in Maharashtra last November.
How will Vadhvan Aiport enhance Mumbai’s connectivity?
The Vadhvan airport will play a key role in enhancing Mumbai’s connectivity. The city is already working on a high-speed rail corridor, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, with a station planned near the airport. Furthermore, major highways like the New Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway will significantly improve accessibility to the airport.
Passenger Demand and Economic Feasibility
Although the Vadhvan airport project is ambitious, experts have expressed concerns regarding its viability, particularly in terms of passenger traffic. To justify the substantial investment, the airport will need to attract enough air travel. Despite efforts to improve connectivity through new airport developments, smaller city airports have struggled to reach high passenger traffic levels.
Currently, Mumbai has two major airports: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). CSMIA, located in the heart of Mumbai, is one of India’s busiest and most important international gateways, handling millions of passengers each year. It serves both domestic and international flights and is a key hub for travel to and from India.
To alleviate congestion and cater to the growing demand for air travel in the region, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is under construction. Situated in the coastal city of Navi Mumbai, around 35 kilometers from the existing CSMIA, the new airport is expected to ease pressure on Mumbai’s current infrastructure. With a state-of-the-art design and capacity to handle millions of passengers annually, the Navi Mumbai airport aims to improve connectivity in the region and bolster economic growth, making it a crucial addition to Mumbai’s aviation network.