Mumbai, 8 Oct

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated phase one of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, built at a cost of Rs 19,650 crore.

The new airport, spread over 1,160 hectares, is set to significantly boost India’s aviation capacity and ease the heavy traffic burden on Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Before the formal inauguration, the Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the newly constructed facility.

It is India's largest greenfield airport project, developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and is the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Modi also inaugurated Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3, stretching from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade, constructed at a cost of Rs 12,200 crore.

He dedicated the entire Rs 37,270 crore Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) to the nation, marking a major milestone in the city's urban transport transformation.

Modi also launched the Mumbai One app which offers commuters a range of benefits, including integrated mobile ticketing across multiple public transport operators.

He also inaugurated the Short-Term Employability Program (STEP) initiative of the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation in Maharashtra.

The programme is being rolled out across 400 government ITIs and 150 Government Technical High Schools, marking a major step in aligning skill development with industry requirements to enhance employability.

Mumbai Metro Line-3 inaugurated by PM; services to start from Thursday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the final phase of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 between Acharya Atre Chowk and Cuffe Parade, marking a major milestone in the city's infrastructure development.

With the opening of the 10.99-km Phase 2B stretch, Mumbai's first fully underground metro corridor covering a total distance of 33.5 km, known as Aqua Line, will become fully operational from Thursday.

The prime minister inaugurated the final phase of the metro corridor virtually from the venue in Navi Mumbai where he also inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has announced that passenger services on the entire underground corridor between Cuffe Parade and Aarey JVLR will commence from 9 October.

The greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport and the underground metro are set to transform travel and connectivity in Mumbai, the prime minister said on this occasion.

"Phase 2B of the Mumbai Metro Line-3 is a significant enhancement to Mumbai's infrastructure. Metro connectivity is essential for a city's growth. This project will have a positive impact on the lives of the people of Mumbai," Modi had written on X shortly before the inauguration ceremony.

A day before, the MMRC, through its X handle, had informed that the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) had accorded authorisation for passenger operations on the Mumbai Metro Line-3 Phase 2B between Acharya Atre Chowk and Cuffe Parade stations.

The first service from both Aarey JVLR and Cuffe Parade will start at 5.55am, while the last train will depart at 10.30pm from both directions, reaching terminal stations by 11.25pm.