The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in mainland Mumbai is set to be connected to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) via a new 35 km Airport Express Metro.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to be operational by December 2024. Transport connectivity between Mumbai and NMIA is of utmost importance, as is the interaction between the two airports.
Currently, the two airports do not have any mass rapid transport system (MRTS) to connect them.
However, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had planned Line 8 to connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Navi Mumbai Airport. The proposed Metro 8 corridor has been a part of MMRDA’s Metro Master Plan since 2014.
Keeping this in mind, the two development agencies, the MMRDA and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) will be working together to execute the Line 8 Airport Metro project.
While, the MMRDA will be undertaking the project in the Mumbai region between CSMIA and Mankhurd, the CIDCO will execute the work on the Metro line in the Navi Mumbai area between Mankhurd and Navi Mumbai airport.
The MMRDA has completed Detailed Project Report for 11.1 km CSMIA-Mankhurd portion through the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The CIDCO, now, has taken an initiative and commenced DPR for remaining portion of line 8 from Mankhurd to NMIA.
The metro line is expected to have a daily ridership of 9 lakh passengers and is projected to cost approximately Rs 15,000 crore.
“Both these metro lines will establish seamless connectivity to NMIA, with terminal within the airport, providing easy access and boost economic development,” said CIDCO.
Extension to Navi Mumbai Metro
The CIDCO has also started the work on extending Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 from Belapur to NMIA.
The 11.1-km Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 from Belapur to Pendhar with 11 stations that has been under construction since 2011 is set to be commissioned and put into operational use in the next few months.
CIDCO, the nodal agency for the project, will soon obtain the Commission of Railway Safety (CMRS) certificate for the Belapur-Kharghar stretch, following which it can begin operations on the line. The Kharghar-Pendhar stretch already received CMRS certification in October 2021.
The NMM Line 1 between Belapur and Pendhar comprises of 11 metro stations, namely, Belapur, Sector-7 Belapur, Science Park, Utsav Chowk, Sector 11 Kharghar, Sector 14 Kharghar, Central Park, Pethapada, Sector 34 Kharghar, Panchnand and Pendhar Terminal.