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With the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) set to open on September 30, the Maharashtra government is finalising a multimodal connectivity plan to ensure seamless access to the new facility from Mumbai and across the state. The strategy integrates road, rail, Metro, and bus networks to cater to both short- and long-distance travellers.
Once inaugurated, the NMIA will begin with a modest eight to 10 air traffic movements per hour, which is projected to increase to 30 movements per hour during peak times by 2026. The first phase of the airport is designed to handle 20 million passengers annually, according to NMIA officials, making approach connectivity critical to its smooth operation.
“Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) is actively collaborating with government authorities to develop multimodal connectivity, leveraging both existing and upcoming infrastructure. NMIA will be well-connected via road, rail and water transport, offering seamless access while helping to decongest the region,” an NMIA spokesperson said.
A key element of the access strategy is the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as the Atal Setu. The 22-km sea bridge connects Sewri in South Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai, slashing commute time significantly. Passengers from South Mumbai will be able to reach Ulwe, where the NMIA is located, in just 20 minutes from the end of the bridge.
From other parts of Mumbai, the existing Sion-Panvel Highway continues to be the main access road to NMIA. It connects the Mumbai city and eastern suburbs to Navi Mumbai through Chembur, Vashi, Nerul and Belapur before reaching Panvel. The Eastern Freeway provides another option, carrying traffic directly from South Mumbai to Chembur before joining the same highway.
Additionally, CIDCO, Navi Mumbai’s planning authority, is constructing a new elevated corridor between Thane and NMIA. Designed for speeds of up to 100 kmph and featuring six interchanges, the corridor will cut travel time from 90 minutes to just 30 minutes.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is preparing dedicated airport express bus services from key hubs, including Pune, Thane, Dadar, Vashi, and Panvel. These services will feature electric buses, offering a green and efficient option for airport access.
Rail connectivity will play a key role in linking NMIA with regions beyond Mumbai. The Panvel railway station, a major hub for suburban and intercity trains, will serve as a feeder point. Passengers arriving from Pune, Raigad, Nashik, and the Konkan belt can transfer to shuttle buses that will take them directly to the airport terminal.
CIDCO has also proposed the activation of Targhar and Kharkopar railway stations to serve both airport staff and passengers. In the longer term, Metro connectivity is being explored, with feasibility studies underway to extend the existing Belapur-Pendhar Metro line to Ulwe, directly linking the airport.
South Mumbai passengers will be able to drive via Atal Setu, reaching the airport in under 40 minutes, traffic permitting. Travellers from Thane may prefer dedicated airport express buses over navigating multiple road corridors. Commuters from Pune or Raigad can take trains to Panvel, followed by airport shuttle services. Residents of Navi Mumbai, especially in Ulwe, Kharghar, Kamothe, and Panvel, will benefit from the proposed feeder buses.
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