Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai, Oct 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), calling it a symbol of India's developmental vision and a key driver for regional and global connectivity.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, PM Modi described the project as a “glimpse of Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), noting that the airport — shaped like a lotus and built on the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — will ease congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport and position the city as a global hub.

“This new airport will help Mumbai become Asia's premier connectivity hub. It will not only transform travel and logistics but also open global markets to local farmers and entrepreneurs,” said the Prime Minister.

He added that with the launch of Navi Mumbai’s second international airport, farmers from Maharashtra will now have the ability to connect with supermarkets in Europe and the Middle East, significantly boosting agri-exports.

Highlighting the government's efforts to democratize air travel, PM Modi emphasized how the UDAN Yojana has made flying accessible to common citizens.
“In 2014, I said I dream of a time when even those wearing slippers can afford air travel. In the past 11 years, we’ve doubled the number of airports from 74 to over 160,” he noted.

The Prime Minister said that India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world and reiterated his government’s goal to establish India as a global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub by the end of the decade.

Alongside the airport inauguration, PM Modi also flagged off the first phase of the Mumbai Metro Line 3, India’s first fully underground metro system. He called it a "transformative development" that will ease daily commutes and save citizens time.

“This modern metro line is a proud testament to India’s infrastructure progress and our commitment to sustainable urban development,” he said.

The Prime Minister underlined the government’s emphasis on boosting the Ease of Living for citizens, especially the poor, middle class, and neo-middle class. He stressed that improved infrastructure — from roads to metros to airports — directly uplifts the capabilities and quality of life of ordinary people.

On economic reforms, PM Modi referred to GST 2.0 as a game-changer, helping reduce prices of essential goods and increasing people’s purchasing power.

“This Navaratri season, sales have broken records. This reflects not just festive enthusiasm but the increased financial strength of common citizens,” he said.

He also cited projects such as the Atal Setu, Coastal Roads, and multimodal transport integration as part of a wider mission to make India’s cities world-class, efficient, and inclusive.

“The transformation of Mumbai’s infrastructure is central to our larger vision for a Viksit Bharat. Projects like NMIA and Metro Line-3 are not just concrete structures — they are symbols of the new India we are building,” PM Modi concluded.