Maharashtra’s Progress Today Will Be Written in Golden Letters – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Successful Runway Test at Navi Mumbai Airport

Raigad : The runway of the Navi Mumbai International Airport was successfully tested today in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. An Indian Air Force C-295 aircraft made a successful landing on the runway, receiving a water cannon salute. Additionally, a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft completed a flypast. Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Shinde remarked that this achievement is a sign of Maharashtra’s rapid progress and that today’s event will be remembered in golden letters.

The construction of Navi Mumbai International Airport is nearing completion, and today’s successful runway test marks a major milestone. Following the C-295 landing, the Sukhoi-30 performed a flypast. The pilot of the C-295 aircraft was felicitated by Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis for this accomplishment.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol, CIDCO Corporation President Sanjay Shirsat, MPs Srirang Barane, Sunil Tatkare, Dr. Shrikant Shinde, and Naresh Mhaske, as well as MLAs Ganesh Naik, Prashant Thakur, and Mahesh Baldi, were present at the occasion. Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr. Iqbal Chahal, CIDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Vijay Singhal, Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Deshmukh, and Raigad Collector Kishan Jawle, were also in attendance. The C-295 aircraft arrived from Gandhinagar, while the Sukhoi-30 came from Pune.

Addressing the media, Chief Minister Shinde underscored the significance of the day’s events, stating that this marks a historic moment for the state. With the airport project nearing completion, the successful test just ahead of Vijayadashami brings immense joy to the people. He confirmed that the airport is scheduled to begin regular passenger services by March 2025 and added that efforts are underway to expedite the remaining work. The Chief Minister congratulated the entire CIDCO team for their outstanding efforts. He emphasized that the new airport will be a game-changer for Maharashtra, providing a major boost to the state’s progress and creating thousands of job opportunities through the development of IT parks and business centers in the surrounding area.

A Major Asset for Commuters – Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed his optimism that the Navi Mumbai International Airport, once operational, will accommodate approximately 9 crore passengers annually. He highlighted the strategic significance of the airport, which will be well-connected via the Shivdi-Nhavasheva Sea Link, Mumbai, and the Navi Mumbai Metro, in addition to major roadways. He emphasized that this will be a landmark project not just for Maharashtra, but for the entire country.