A monumental day for India’s aviation and urban landscape unfolded as Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated Phase One of the Navi Mumbai International Airport. This state-of-the-art facility, constructed at a significant cost of ₹19,650 crore, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s infrastructure growth.
Spanning an impressive 1,160 hectares, the new airport is poised to dramatically elevate India’s air travel capacity. It will crucially alleviate the persistent passenger and traffic congestion at Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, ensuring smoother operations and a better travel experience.
Prior to the grand inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi personally toured the sprawling, newly built airport, witnessing firsthand the scale and sophistication of the project.
Notably, this endeavor stands as India’s largest greenfield airport project, meticulously developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. It proudly serves as the second international gateway for the bustling Mumbai Metropolitan Region, underscoring its strategic importance.
The Prime Minister’s visit also included the inauguration of Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3, an extension running from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade. This segment alone represents an investment of ₹12,200 crore, significantly expanding the city’s modern public transport network.
Prime Minister Modi shared on social media that these new connectivity projects will solidify Mumbai’s position as a global hub for growth and opportunity.
In a comprehensive dedication to the nation, Mr. Modi unveiled the entire ₹37,270 crore Mumbai Metro Line 3, affectionately known as the Aqua Line. This full operational launch is a transformative achievement, fundamentally reshaping urban transit across the city.
Further enhancing civic convenience, Prime Minister Modi introduced the ‘Mumbai One’ app. This innovative mobile application is designed to revolutionize daily commuting by offering a seamless, integrated ticketing solution across various public transport operators.
The event also highlighted a significant focus on human capital, with Mr. Modi inaugurating the Short-Term Employability Program (STEP) initiative. This program, spearheaded by Maharashtra’s Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, aims to equip the workforce with essential skills.
The STEP initiative is set for wide-scale implementation, rolling out across 400 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 150 Government Technical High Schools. This strategic move is intended to align skill development directly with industry demands, thereby boosting overall employability and economic growth.