On October 8, 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated First Phase (Phase I) of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and launched and dedicated multiple development projects in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Exam Hints:
- What? PM Narendra Modi inaugurated NMIA, launched and dedicated multiple projects
- Where? In Mumbai Maharashtra
- When? On October 8, 2025
- Inaugurations: NMIA, Mumbai One Application, Mumbai Metro Line-3 (Phase 2B), STEP program by Maharashtra Government
Navi Mumbai International Airport:
Overview: NMIA, built with a budget outlay of Rs.19,650 crores, is India’s largest Greenfield airport project. It will serve as the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai.
Developer: It is developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, and City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), aligning with Viksit Bharat 2047, vision of Government of India (GOI)
Capacity: In its Phase I, NMIA has the capacity to handle around 20 million passengers annually and is expected to accommodate up to 90 million passengers per year, following the full completion of NMIA.
Facilities: It features two parallel runways, with one operational initially, and a dedicated cargo terminal capable of handling 1 tonnes of cargo annually. NMIA will introduce India’s first water taxi service, connecting Mumbai with the airport. It will also be integrated with metro and suburban rail networks for direct terminal access.
- An Automated People Mover (APM) will connect the terminals and parking zones within the airport premises.
Sustainable Initiatives: NMIA incorporates rainwater harvesting systems, a 47-Megawatt (MW) solar power generation capacity to reduce its carbon footprint, aiming for a 4-star Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) for sustainability and energy efficiency.
- Additionally, electric bus services and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) infrastructure are being developed to support eco-friendly operations.
Design: NMIA has been designed with inspiration from the lotus flower, symbolizing purity, sustainability, and Indian cultural heritage.
Metro Connectivity:
Overview: PM Modi inaugurated Phase 2B, the final phase, of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 (also called as the Aqua Line), stretching from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade in Mumbai.
- It is the first and only fully underground Metro in Mumbai.
Budget: It is built at a cost of Rs.12,200 crores, totaling the total cost of Aqual Line project to Rs.37,720 crores including all phases.
Coverage: The Mumbai Metro Line-3, spanning 33.5 Kilometre (Km) from Cuff Parade to Aarey Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) with 27 stations, is expected to serve around 13 lakh commuters every day.
Connectivity: The Phase 2B links areas in South Mumbai such as Fort, Kala Ghoda, and Marine Drive, and key hubs such as Bombay High Court, Mantralaya.
‘Mumbai One’ Application:
Overview: Launched “Mumbai One”, an integrated mobility application, aimed at providing seamless integration of public transport services across Mumbai. It enables commuters to plan, book, and pay for metros, buses, and suburban trains through a single interface.
Features: The “Mumbai One” application features common Quick Response (QR) ticketing, real-time tracking, a unified payment gateway, and is linked with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for seamless, cashless travel across Mumbai.
STEP Program:
Overview: Inaugurated the Short-Term Employability Program (STEP), a flagship initiative by the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation of the Government of Maharashtra, aimed at enhancing workforce readiness and bridging the gap between education and industry requirements.
Implementation: The program will be implemented across 400 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 150 Government Technical High Schools, providing students with practical, industry-aligned skills to enhance employability.
Courses: Under STEP, a total of 2,500 new training batches will be established, out of which 364 batches are exclusively for women, promoting gender-inclusive skill development, and 408 batches will focus on emerging technology courses such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Electric Vehicles (EV), Solar Energy, and Additive Manufacturing.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM) – Devendra Fadnavis
Governor – Acharya Devvrat
Capital – Mumbai
Wildlife Sanctuary (WS) – Radhanagari WS, Sagareshwar WS
