By Manjiri Joshi,News18

Copyright news18

Navi Mumbai is on a roll. Last year, it got the Atal Setu or the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) connecting Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai. On September 30, it will get the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). By the end of the year, it is proposed to host the finale of the Indian Racing Festival (IRF).
From infrastructure to sporting arena, Navi Mumbai, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, is inching ahead to become the new growth hub of Maharashtra.
KEY MILESTONES FOR NAVI MUMBAI
Atal Setu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, 2024 inaugurated the Atal Setu, officially known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). It was thrown open to public the following day. Spanning a total length of 21.8 kilometers, including 16.5 km over the sea and 5.3 km on land, it is India’s longest sea bridge. The bridge connects Sewri to Chirle, drastically reducing travel time between the two cities from around two hours to just 20-25 minutes. Built at a cost of approximately Rs 17,843 crore, Atal Setu plays a critical role in enhancing regional connectivity, especially to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), and is expected to boost logistics, real estate, and economic growth across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
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Navi Mumbai International Airport: The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is a major greenfield airport developed in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd in partnership with CIDCO. Designed to handle up to 60 million passengers annually once fully complete, the airport will be built in four phases.

pic.twitter.com/R03D6aeKWG
— Navi Mumbai International Airport (@navimumairport) September 16, 2025

Spanning over 1,160 hectares, NMIA will feature two parallel runways, a multi-level terminal building, an ATC tower, and cargo and logistics hubs. It is designed to be India’s first “smart and sustainable” airport, with extensive use of solar power, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly construction techniques. The terminal design takes inspiration from the lotus flower, and world-renowned firm Zaha Hadid Architects has contributed to the architecture. NMIA will also be seamlessly integrated with multiple transport modes—including the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu), Metro Line 8, Sion-Panvel Expressway, and suburban rail—making it a major hub for both domestic and international connectivity in western India.
Explained | Mumbai To Navi Mumbai Airport: How To Reach By Road Or Train? How Much Time Will It Take?
Formula Night Street Race: The arrival of Mumbai’s first-ever FIA-grade street racing circuit will place the city firmly on the global sporting calendar. The circuit starts at the iconic Palm Beach Road, weaving through Nerul Lake, floodlit under the night sky. With its 3.753 km FIA-grade street circuit, featuring 14 turns, the city joins the elite list of global destinations that host iconic street races. Fans can look forward to a thrilling nighttime double-header weekend featuring the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). Welcoming the festival to Maharashtra, Fadnavis said, “We are proud to bring the Indian Racing Festival to Navi Mumbai,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.”
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FOR NAVI MUMBAI
1. Panvel-Karjat Suburban Railway Corridor: The suburban rail corridor is part of Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation Phase 2. The route will be Panvel to Chikhale to Mohape to Chowk to Karjat (total 29.6 km). It is set to be a double railway line with three tunnels, two rail flyovers, 15 major and 44 minor bridges, 2 ROBs, 17 RUBs. The cost is Rs 2,782 crore. It is expected to be completed by the end of this year. It is likely to reduce the travel time from 90 to 45 minutes and boost connectivity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
2. Fourth Railway Line on Panvel-Karjat Route: At a cost of Rs 491 crore, it is aimed at improving frequency and airport connectivity.
3. Ulwe Coastal Road (UCR): The coastal arterial road is a major Cidco project. The route is Belapur to Ulwe to Shivaji Nagar, which connects to MTHL at Chirle. The length is 5.8 km, including 1.2 km elevated stretch). It is a six-lane road, with a special rail overbridge over Nerul-Uran rail line. It is expected to cost Rs 1,400 crore and is expected to be completed by early next year. It will be a key connector to Atal Setu and the NMIA.
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4. Metro Line 8 (Gold Line) CSMIA to NMIA: It is a Metro Rail project which will connect CSMIA (Terminal 2)-Chembur-Mankhurd-Vashi-Nerul-Belapur-NMIA. It will combine underground (Chembur stretch) and elevated (Sion-Panvel highway) sections. It will provide direct airport-to-airport CSMIA to NMIA metro link. It is likely to cost Rs 15,000 crore and is expected to be completed by 2029.

5. Kharghar-Turbhe Tunnel Link Road (KTLR): It will go under the Parsik Hill, reducing travel time from 40 minutes to 10 minutes. It is expected to cost Rs 2,099 crore. It is expected to be completed by September 2028. It will ensure smooth intra-city commute and boost Kharghar’s real estate and industrial access
6. Palm Beach Road Extension to NH-4: The proposed road extension will ensure direct connectivity between Belapur and Mumbai–Pune Highway.
7. Nerul-Uran Railway Line (Phase 2): The phase two of the railway line to JNPT/Uran is expected to be completed by 2026.
8. International Corporate Park (ICP), Kharghar: It is a planned commercial / business hub by CIDCO.
With Agency Inputs