Navi Mumbai Airport inauguration not happening on September 30: Maharashtra minister Ganesh Naik

The naming issue has turned into a political flashpoint in Navi Mumbai. Communities affected by the airport project, especially the Agri-Koli population, have been pressing for the airport to be named after their leader D B Patil. In recent weeks, rallies and protests have been organised, including a bike rally led by NCP MP Suresh Mhatre to highlight the community’s demand.

The delay in the inauguration, along with the unresolved naming row, has left local BJP leaders uneasy. During the Maha Vikas Aghadi Government’s tenure, the BJP had staged protests demanding Patil’s name, with support from state-level leaders. The issue remains politically sensitive.

The airport was initially slated for inauguration on September 30, with operations expected to commence 45 days later. Once completed, the project is set to transform air connectivity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The greenfield airport, designed as a second air hub for Mumbai, is expected to decongest Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and drive economic growth across the region.

Developed under a public-private partnership, the airport is a joint venture between Navi Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (NMIAL) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco). NMIAL, a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, holds a 74 per cent stake, while Cidco retains 26 per cent.

The first phase, built at a cost of nearly Rs 20,000 crore, includes one common terminal for domestic and international operations and one of the two proposed runways. This phase will have a handling capacity of 20 million passengers per annum.

The airport, inspired by the design of the lotus flower, will be developed in multiple phases. Following the initial phases, the Adani Group will invest an additional Rs 30,000 crore for the third phase. By 2029, the project will add a second terminal and parallel runway, raising overall capacity to 50 million passengers per annum.