Navi Mumbai International Airport Opens New Avenues for Pune Region: Muralidhar Mohol

Pune, 7th October 2025: The inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIAL) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marks a historic milestone not just for Mumbai, but for the entire Western Maharashtra region, said Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP Muralidhar Mohol. He said the new airport will unlock vast opportunities for international connectivity, employment generation, and investment across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kolhapur, Satara, and Solapur.

“Navi Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (NMIAL) is a Special Purpose Vehicle formed for the design, development, construction, operation, maintenance, and expansion of the greenfield international airport in Navi Mumbai. The project has been implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) between Mumbai International Airport Limited and CIDCO,” Mohol said.

He added that the airport’s completion reflects Maharashtra’s progressive infrastructure vision under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “Punekars will benefit immensely. With congestion at Mumbai Airport limiting international flight slots, the Navi Mumbai Airport will significantly enhance global connectivity. Moreover, industries in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Baramati will gain access to a modern freight hub closer to home,” Mohol noted.

Highlighting the airport’s logistics capacity, Mohol said the state-of-the-art cargo terminal can handle around 3.2 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. “This will be a major boost for the automobile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and agri-processing sectors in the Pune district,” he said.

The airport’s proximity to Thane, Bhiwandi, and JNPT ports, coupled with the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, will enable faster access from Pune within 2.5 to 3 hours. This connectivity is expected to cut air cargo transit time and reduce export costs.

“The natural direction of Mumbai’s expansion is now towards Pune,” Mohol remarked. “This airport will accelerate the development of a new industrial corridor between Pune and Mumbai. Navi Mumbai International Airport has been built as India’s most advanced and sustainable airport — equipped with a 47 MW solar power system, rainwater harvesting facilities, and an electric vehicle fleet, making it a true ‘green airport’.”

Calling the project a “symbol of Maharashtra’s commitment to sustainable progress,” Mohol said it embodies the principle of development in harmony with the environment. He also linked the project to Prime Minister Modi’s ‘UDAN’ initiative, which aims to make air travel affordable and accessible. “Navi Mumbai International Airport is the next step in that vision. It is not just an airport, but a gateway to India’s new economic horizon,” Mohol stated.

Describing it as a ‘Global Gateway to Growth’ for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mohol said the airport would open global avenues for industries, tourism, and citizens of the region. “In the eyes of Prime Minister Modi, Maharashtra will achieve new heights of development through such visionary projects,” he added.

Mohol pointed out that multinational companies in Talegaon and Chakan, major automobile industries, and IT firms in Hinjawadi and Marunji stand to gain directly from the airport’s connectivity. “The development will also enhance the prominence of rapidly growing areas such as Punawale, Kivale, and Gahunje in Pimpri-Chinchwad,” he said.