In a major infrastructure development move, Maharashtra is gearing up for the Vadhavan offshore airport project, expected to begin initial groundwork by 2026. Touted as the third major airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), this ambitious project follows the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is currently under construction. With a proposed investment of INR. 76,220 crore, the project was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, and it has now taken a significant step forward with the commissioning of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) by the state government.
Strategically located in Palghar district, Vadhavan is already the proposed site for India’s largest upcoming seaport—the Vadhavan Port. Managed by the Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board, the port is currently undergoing land reclamation work. The state government sees the airport as a logical extension of this development, aiming to create a seamless multimodal logistics hub that reduces congestion in Mumbai and enhances regional connectivity.
The urgency for a new airport stems from the saturation of Mumbai’s existing air infrastructure. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport operates on a single runway and is nearing capacity. Even with Navi Mumbai airport slated to ease some of the pressure, experts predict rising air traffic demand will still outpace available infrastructure. The proposed Vadhavan offshore airport is seen as a futuristic solution, designed to decentralize both passenger and cargo operations while supporting the state’s broader economic vision.
Currently in the pre-feasibility stage, the Vadhavan project will undergo detailed technical and environmental assessments to ensure viability. The upcoming DPR will serve as the foundation for securing regulatory clearances and financial backing. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed confidence in the state’s capability, noting that the ongoing offshore port development has prepared the ground for undertaking an airport of similar scale and complexity.
If executed as planned, the Vadhavan offshore airport could be a transformative addition to Maharashtra’s infrastructure portfolio. Together with the mega seaport project, it has the potential to turn Vadhavan into a powerhouse logistics and transportation hub, significantly boosting economic activity and reshaping the infrastructure landscape across western India.
