Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
| Photo Credit:
SHASHANK PARADE
Maharashtra government hopes to start the work on the country’s first offshore airport at Vadhavan near Mumbai in 2026, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is developing a deep draft port in Vadhavan which is situated 140 kilometres north of Mumbai. Along side the port the Maharashtra government is also proposing an airport at Vadhavan which will serve as a third airport for Mumbai.
Pre feasibility study
Currently a pre feasibility study for the offshore airport is underway and its report is expected in three months.
“I am hopeful we will be able to start the work on Vadhavan airport next year,” Fadnavis said at the western region ministers’ conference organised by civil aviation ministry in Mumbai.
Fadnavis said civil aviation will be important driver for Indian economy as it becomes the hub manufacturing and global supply chains. He highlighted that 24 of 36 districts in the state have an airport or an airstrip and the state is looking to develop facilities in all districts. Facilities in existing locations are being upgraded and new airports are being built including at Gadchiroli which was once a hotbed for Naxal activities.
Land acquisition for Pune’s second airport in Purandar is facing hurdles with objections from local farmers. Fadnavis however is hopeful of a quick resolution. “ Our objective is to complete the land acquisition is next four to five months and then start the work on airport as quickly as possible. Along with Nagpur and Navi Mumbai the second Pune airport will be boost cargo traffic,” Fadnavis said.
Published on July 11, 2025