Key Points:
- Devendra Fadnavis announces Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after farmer leader D.B. Patil
- Airport will boost pharmaceutical, innovation, food processing, service sector, and import-export industries
- Infrastructure projects include Kalamboli junction, Kharghar-Turbhe tunnel, and CIDCO metro network
- Shilar and Poshir projects to meet Navi Mumbai’s drinking water needs
- EduCity planned with prestigious Indian and international universities
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after the late public leader D.B. Patil during a public meeting in Airoli as part of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation election campaign. The Chief Minister stated that this airport will not only facilitate air travel but will also play a crucial role in the economic expansion of Navi Mumbai and the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This project will become a strong foundation for regional development in the coming years, positioning Navi Mumbai as a natural extension of Mumbai.
Industries to Benefit Most
According to Fadnavis, the pharmaceutical, innovation, food processing, service sector, and import-export industries will benefit significantly from this airport. This will lead to increased investment and the creation of thousands of new job opportunities in Navi Mumbai. The airport, which became operational with commercial flights beginning on December 25 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration on October 8, is expected to transform the region’s economic landscape. The project, approved in 2007 with construction beginning in February 2018, represents a long-awaited infrastructure milestone.
Traffic Infrastructure Plans
Describing Navi Mumbai as a natural extension of Mumbai, the Chief Minister said that several infrastructure projects are underway to alleviate traffic congestion. These include a new junction at Kalamboli, a proposed tunnel from Kharghar to Turbhe, and the metro network being developed by CIDCO. These projects aim to create seamless connectivity between Navi Mumbai and the broader Mumbai Metropolitan Region, supporting the airport’s role as a major transportation hub.
Water and Education Initiatives
Fadnavis stated that Navi Mumbai’s drinking water needs will be met through the Shilar and Poshir projects. He also announced a plan to develop an EduCity in Navi Mumbai, where prestigious universities from India and abroad will be established. This educational hub will complement the airport’s economic impact by creating a knowledge ecosystem and attracting students and researchers to the region.
D.B. Patil’s Legacy
D.B. Patil was born in 1926 in Jasai village of Raigad district. He was a prominent leader of farmers’ rights and waged a historic struggle to secure justice for farmers in the Navi Mumbai project. The airport is being named after him to honor his contributions to farmers’ welfare and his role in advocating for their rights during the development of Navi Mumbai. This recognition acknowledges his legacy as a champion of agricultural communities in the region.
