Passengers traveling to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) currently face high taxi and rickshaw fares and longer travel times. To address these challenges, CIDCO has undertaken several major infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity to the airport.
These projects include the metro line connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Airport, an elevated road from Thane, and the development of NAINA (Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area), all of which are expected to make travel faster and more convenient.
Speaking to The Indian Express, CIDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Vijay Singhal shared details about one of the agency's most ambitious projects—the Ulwe Coastal Road.
The Ulwe Coastal Road is being constructed to enhance connectivity between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Airport. The road will originate from the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, popularly known as Atal Setu.
At present, vehicles traveling from South Mumbai to the airport must pass through Chirle Junction and Amra, resulting in longer travel times. The new coastal road will provide a direct link to the airport, significantly reducing the journey duration.
According to Singhal, nearly 80 percent of the project work has already been completed. Earlier, the road was expected to open between August and September 2026. However, delays in the supply of certain materials due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia have affected the construction schedule.
As a result, the project is now expected to be completed by November 2026. Once operational, travelers from South Mumbai (SoBo) will be able to reach Navi Mumbai Airport from Atal Setu in just five minutes.
Construction of Metro Line 8 is also expected to commence soon. The proposed 32-kilometre metro corridor has already received approval from the Maharashtra government, and its Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently under review.
Of the total route length, approximately 9.5 kilometres will be underground. CIDCO officials have identified certain challenges along the alignment, and minor modifications to the project may be required.
A revised final report is expected to be prepared within the next two weeks and submitted to the state government for funding approval. Following this, tenders for the project are likely to be floated within the next two months.
In addition to the coastal road and metro project, several road connectivity initiatives around Navi Mumbai Airport are progressing rapidly.
A direct road connection from Kalamboli to the airport has already been developed on the northern side. Similarly, a route linking Panvel to the eastern side of the airport has also been completed.
Work is currently underway on a direct road connecting the Panvel Expressway to the airport. The project includes three bridges, two of which have already been completed. The remaining bridge is expected to be ready within the next few months.
This route will benefit not only residents of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane but also travelers from Pune. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is constructing a cloverleaf interchange that will connect to these bridges, providing seamless access to the airport.
With multiple road and metro projects advancing simultaneously, authorities expect connectivity to Navi Mumbai International Airport to improve significantly before and after its operational launch.