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In a move set to benefit Muslim pilgrims once the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) becomes operational, Mumbai is all set to a new Haj House at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. The project marks a major step forward in the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Minority Affairs to modernise Haj infrastructure and provide improved facilities for pilgrims. Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, conducted a site visit to the proposed location of the new Haj House at Kharghar, accompanied by the officials from the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), according to a PIB press release. During the visit, the Secretary reviewed the layout and design plan for the upcoming facility and discussed the implementation timeline and technical aspects of the project with the concerned officials. The visit also included discussions on connectivity, logistics and amenities to ensure that the new Haj House effectively caters to the needs of Haj pilgrims. Does Mumbai have a Haj house? What are its functions? Located near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, the Haj House provides lodging and support services for pilgrims. The building is managed by the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and serves primarily as a hostel / transit facility for Muslims from India who are undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage. Orientation & training: It organises orientation programmes for first-time pilgrims to explain the pilgrimage rituals, logistics, health requirements etc. It helps with procedural matters such as visa/passport applications/endorsements, health screening, inoculation etc. There are dining facilities/food arrangements for pilgrims staying in the building. The building houses offices of the Haj Committee and administrative staff who handle bookings, logistics, pilgrim lists etc. Coaching & guidance for wider community: In addition to pilgrimage support, the Haj House also has a “Coaching & Guidance Cell” which offers support programmes (e.g., competitive exam coaching) for the Muslim community. When will Navi Mumbai airport open? The NMIA was officially inaugurated on 8 October 2025 by Narendra Modi. Full commercial flight operations are expected to begin by December 2025. The NMIA is being developed on around 1,160 hectares. Phase 1 includes one terminal (handling both domestic & international flights initially) with an annual capacity of around 20 million passengers. In the longer term it is planned to scale up to two parallel runways, four passenger terminals, and an annual capacity of up to 90 million passengers. The city’s current major airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Andheri, handles heavy traffic and is reaching capacity. NMIA, the city’s second airport, is being developed to relieve that congestion, provide additional capacity, handle more flights (domestic & international), and thereby serve as a second major commercial airport for the Mumbai metropolitan region.
