While the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) created history with its first day of flight operations, its nearest public transport lifeline told a very different story.

The newly-introduced Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) A2 bus route from Targhar railway station to NMIA — touted as the most convenient and affordable option for passengers — saw a shockingly low turnout with just one to three passengers per trip on Day 1. Targhar, the closest railway station to NMIA, was expected to witness heavy footfall as air travellers looked for last-mile connectivity.