With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to inaugurate the much-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on October 8, a massive beautification and security drive has been launched across Ulwe and adjoining areas. From road resurfacing and illegal encroachment demolitions to round-the-clock Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security checks, every department seems to be in overdrive to ensure the Prime Minister’s visit goes smoothly.

On Saturday, dambar work (asphalt resurfacing) was being carried out near the NMIA entrance gate and adjoining service roads, where a team of labourers worked under the scorching afternoon sun to give the area a fresh, finished look. Ramesh Gupta, a road worker supervising the work near the NMIA entrance, said, “We were asked to complete the road patching and dambar work within two days. Usually, the maintenance work takes time, but since PM Modi is coming, everything has to look clean and perfect.”