Mid-Day tests NMIA travel; public transport tricky, signage missing

As the Navi Mumbai International Airport NMIA inches closer to its operational launch midday conducted a ground test to check connectivity from Mumbairsquos existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport CSMIA and South Mumbai One team travelled by road from CSMIA Terminal 2 while another took a suburban rail route from Churchgate to the NMIA perimeter The findings reveal that while the upcoming airport is accessible motorists will need to plan journeys carefully due to long travel times and lack of signage while public transport works only for those carrying light luggageRoad test CSMIA T2 to NMIARouteCSMIA T2 rarr Western Express Highway rarr SCLR rarr Eastern Express Highway rarr GhatkoparndashMankhurd Link Road rarr Eastern Freeway rarr Atal Setu rarr JNPT Road rarr Uran Road rarr NMIA main gateMinor traffic near Santacruz while exiting CSMIA T2 PicsSatej ShindeWe began our journey at 12 noon from CSMIA T2 a relatively lean traffic period After exiting via the Sahara Elevated Road onto the Western Express Highway we encountered a short traffic holdup near Santacruz Google Maps directed us to the SantacruzndashChembur Link Road SCLR which was clear and allowed smooth passage onto the Eastern Express Highway and onwards to the GhatkoparndashMankhurd Link RoadTaxi ride from Churchgate to CSMT before boarding the suburban trainAt 1241 pm we entered the Eastern Freeway from Govandi encountering no traffic Within 13 minutes we merged onto the Atal Setu which took another 18 minutes to cross From there the drive continued on JNPT Road where heavy vehicles were parked along the edges forcing caution After travelling about 2 km we took the Uran Road exit and drove 95 km further to NMIArsquos main entry gate reaching at 135 pmMissing signboardsHighway stretch with no signage for Navi Mumbai airportThe most striking issue during this drive was the complete lack of signage for NMIA After the Atal Setu and along JNPT and Uran Roads no boards guided motorists toward the airport For firsttime travellers this is likely to cause confusion and inconveniencePeakhour warningReporter Madhulika on the Harbour line train to Navi Mumbai airport PicsSayyed Sameer AbediDuring this offpeak afternoon run the journey took 95 minutes But experts warn that during morning and evening rush hours the same journey may stretch to 2ndash3 hours depending on congestionAlternate route via VashiAnother option is travelling via VashiDistance 35ndash36 kmRoute CSMIA T2 rarr WEH rarr SCLR rarr GMLR rarr Mankhurd rarr Vashi rarr Uran Phata rarr Uran Road rarr NMIATravel time 90ndash120 minutes in the afternoon 2ndash25 hours during peak hoursCost A oneway trip in an aggregator cab is likely to cost Rs 700ndash800While this route is shorter traffic snarls at Mankhurd and Vashi toll plazas could cancel out the time advantage95 minTotal travel time by private carRail test Churchgate to NMIARouteChurchgate rarr taxi to CSMT rarr Harbour Line slow train CSMTndashCBD Belapur rarr auto to NMIA perimeterFinal touches being given to the internal approach road of NMIA PicSayyed Sameer AbediThe second journey began at Churchgate with a short 15 km taxi ride to CSMT costing Rs 32 and taking 7 minutes From there we boarded the 1251 pm Harbour Line slow train towards CBD Belapur The 20station ride lasted 1 hour 10 minutes costing just Rs 15 in secondclass compartments Rs 95 for firstclassAt 2 pm we got off at CBD Belapur considered the closest station to NMIArsquos perimeter From there an auto ride of 36 km and 12 minutes cost another R100 bringing us to the airportrsquos boundary Total travel time 1 hour 29 minutes 89 minutes89 minTotal timeRail option Pros and consTravelling by train is cheap and fairly reliable but only works for those with light luggage Carrying multiple or heavy suitcases in crowded trains would be impractical Nonpeak hours are manageable but the peakhour rush could make this option stressfulAutorickshaw ride from CBD Belapur station to the airport perimeterPassengers can also alight at SeawoodsndashDarave Nerul Kharghar or Panvel stations However CBD Belapur currently offers the most convenient link A dedicated Targhar station located almost adjacent to NMIA will soon be operational making the suburban rail option more practicalWhat the test revealsRoad travel is long but feasible Afternoon drives take 90ndash100 minutes but peakhour travel could stretch beyond 2 hours Lack of signage is a critical issueRail auto is quicker but not luggagefriendly Total journey from Churchgate took 89 minutes at a fraction of the road cost but comfort depends on travelling light and avoiding rush hoursConnectivity plans in progressRoadsNMIA is linked to the SionndashPanvel Highway Amra Marg west and NH4B eastThe Ulwe Coastal Road and Kharghar Coastal Road are under construction with completion expected in 2026A 9 km elevated access corridor is also plannedWater taxisNMIA is set to be Indiarsquos first international airport with watertaxi connectivity Phased operations may begin after launchMetroNavi Mumbai Metro Line 1 BelapurndashPendhar is already functionalMetro Line 8 Gold Line planned between CSMIA and NMIA will offer direct connectivity once completed CIDCO has recently invited tenders to review its DPRRailPresently CBD Belapur is the nearest major nodeTarghar station next to the airport will soon begin operations offering a direct rail optionBus servicesMSRTC is planning express routes from Dadar Thane Vashi and PanvelNMMT intends to deploy electric buses higher frequency services and possibly dedicated lanesCabs amp autosAppbased cab aggregators and prepaid auto stands are expected Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and CIDCO are working on lastmile solutionsImmediate needs before launchClear signage on Atal Setu JNPT Road and Uran RoadPrepaid taxi and auto stands with fixed tariffs to prevent overchargingShuttle buses from major rail and Metro hubs such as Panvel Vashi and ThaneRealtime updates on traffic busmetro services and water taxi schedules via an official appAdequate parking facilities with smooth pickup and dropoff zonesInputs by Rajendra B Aklekar