Develop the World’s Fastest Baggage Claim System at Navi Mumbai Airport: CM Fadnavis

First Commercial Flight Set to Take Off in September 2025

Raigad : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed authorities to ensure that the world’s fastest baggage claim system is developed at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), making it a distinctive feature of the new airport. Speaking after a review of the project’s progress, the CM stated that 94% of the airport construction work has been completed, and the remaining 6% will be completed by September 2025, when the first commercial flight is expected to take off.

CM Fadnavis, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, conducted an on-site inspection of the ongoing works at NMIA. They especially reviewed passenger-related facilities and services to ensure world-class standards.

Speaking to the media after the visit, CM Fadnavis said that on June 10, 2022, CIDCO had granted 100% access and right-of-way over 1,160 hectares of land to NMIAL (Navi Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd.). All rehabilitation efforts have been completed, with CIDCO spending nearly ₹2,000 crore on land acquisition and rehabilitation.

He added that NMIAL achieved financial closure for the project on March 29, 2022, with SBI approving ₹12,770 crore for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the airport. The total project cost stands at ₹19,647 crore, with ₹15,981 crore by NMIAL and ₹3,665 crore by CIDCO.

CIDCO has completed all pre-development activities, including land leveling up to 5.5 meters, diversion of the Ulwe River, and relocation of high-voltage power transmission lines.

The CM also recalled that on October 11, 2024, the Indian Air Force’s C-295 transport aircraft made the inaugural landing at the airport, followed by two low passes by SU-30 aircraft. The airport also witnessed its first commercial landing by an IndiGo Airbus A320 on December 29, 2024.

As of June 30, 2025, the project has achieved 96.5% physical progress. Currently, around 13,000 workers are employed at the site, and additional manpower is being deployed to ensure the remaining work is completed before September. All departments have been instructed to expedite operations to meet the deadline.

The Phase 1 and 2 of the NMIA are designed to handle 20 million passengers and 0.8 million metric tons of cargo annually. The airport is expected to become fully operational by September 2025.

CM Fadnavis expressed special satisfaction in noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony for NMIA, will also inaugurate it upon completion.

The review visit was attended by several dignitaries and senior officials, including Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, former MP Ramsheth Thakur, MLAs Prashant Thakur, Mahesh Baldi, and Manda Mhatre, along with CIDCO Vice Chairman & MD Vijay Singhal, Divisional Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi, Raigad Collector Kisan Jawale, and other top administrative and police officers.