Agencies explore connectivity options for Navi Mumbai airport

MTSU project director UPS Madan said,“Consultants would soon be appointed to study the transport connectivity to the airport. We are looking at connectivity to the airport keeping all aspects in mind,but our focus will be on rail and road transport.” He said the Eastern Inland Water Transport Project,expected to be operational in a few years,is also being looked at.

The new airport does not have connectivity expect for a proposed Metro Rail corridor that will only cater to parts of Navi Mumbai and the CIDCO has no plans to extend or add any new corridor till 2016.

For instance,anyone coming from Thane district would have to use the Thane-Belapur road or the Shilphata road that has improved roads,but no high-speed connectivity. Cities such as Nashik that use the Mumbai international airport would be using the same route. Similarly,it would be cumbersome for people from South Mumbai and western suburbs to reach the airport as there is no direct connectivity,until the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Sea Link is built. The airport,however,has good road connectivity to Pune.

“All these aspects have to be taken into consideration before the airport is constructed. Not only that,the infrastructure has to be improved in phases,” said Madan.

The agency has also been asked to the study the transport connectivity between the Sahar airport and the Navi Mumbai airport. “Currently,there is no arrangement to connect these two airports,which is vital,” he added.