NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday, a landmark step in India’s civil aviation journey. The project marks a major milestone in Mumbai’s emergence as a global multi-airport city and is set to aid in easing congestion, boost passenger capacity, and introduce sustainable infrastructure.Second international airport for MumbaiBuilt at a cost of Rs 19,650 crore, NMIA is India’s largest Greenfield airport project, developed under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model. NMIA will operate it alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to reduce congestion and strengthen Mumbai’s position among global multi-airport cities.DesignSpread across 1,160 hectares, the airport is designed to eventually handle 90 million passengers annually and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo, making it one of the most advanced airports in the world.The airport will feature an APM system connecting all four passenger terminals for smooth inter-terminal transfers, along with a landside APM linking city-side infrastructure.Sustainability and connectivityNMIA will feature dedicated storage for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), solar power generation of approximately 47 MW, and EV bus services for city-wide connectivity. The airport will also be the first in India to be connected by Water Taxi, reflecting a modern, eco-friendly approach to passenger and cargo transport.Strategic impactNMIA is expected to enhance passenger experience, improve logistics efficiency, and strengthen Mumbai’s status as a major international aviation hub.The airport is designed with modern, passenger-friendly amenities to ensure smooth transit and integrate seamlessly with existing and upcoming transport infrastructure, including metro lines, road networks, and other public transport systems.