NMIA inaugural day: CIDCO MD reflects on airport’s history, upcoming challenges

As Navi Mumbai International Airport NMIA begins operations on Thursday CIDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Vijay Singhal speaks to midday on history hurdles and the road aheadExcerpts from an interviewNMIA finally becomes operational What does this mean for Navi Mumbai and CIDCOToday is not just the start of flight operations It is the fulfilment of a dream that Navi Mumbaikars have carried for nearly three decades The idea of the Navi Mumbai International Airport was first envisioned in 1997 and on December 25 2025 on Christmas Day that vision finally took wing For CIDCO this is an extremely emotional and proud moment As vice chairman and managing director I feel deeply honoured that this longcherished dream materialises during my tenureWork continues on the airport premises even as the facility commenced operations on Thursday PICSAYYED SAMEER ABEDIHowever I must emphasise that this achievement is thanks also to the tireless work of my predecessors over the years handling land acquisition rehabilitation environmental clearances and infrastructure planning The takeoff is the result of their perseverance and institutional commitmentrdquoHow prepared is NMIA from Day One and what can passengers expectNMIA is fully ready from Day One All systems are tested operational protocols are in place and coordination between CIDCO airport authorities and multiple civic agencies has been seamless mdash even through latenight preparations Around 30 domestic flights operate on Day 1 connecting Navi Mumbai to key cities like Goa Kochi Bengaluru Ahmedabad and Hyderabad The first flight lands from Bengaluru while the first departure takes off for Hyderabad mdash an iconic moment for Indian aviation Adding a festive touch the Adani Group welcomed the first passengers with Christmas gifts From January 15 daily flights increase to 48 and international operations are planned from March positioning NMIA as a global gatewayrdquoThere are concerns about infrastructure gaps like street lighting around Terminal 1 How is CIDCO addressing themWe acknowledge these concerns and we are acting on them with urgency All pending works including street lighting around Terminal 1 are being completed on a priority basis We are working closely with Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Panvel Municipal Corporation and MSEDCL to ensure that passengers and staff face no inconvenience This airport is being launched with a longterm vision mdash not just as an alternative to Mumbai airport but as a growth engine for the entire MMR