MAHARASHTRA— India is poised to build its first-ever offshore airport near the Vadhavan Port on the Arabian Sea coast, a project estimated to cost ₹45,000 crore and designed to handle up to 90 million passengers annually. Aviation stakeholders say this new facility will bolster the country’s air travel capacity while linking air and sea trade routes in western India.
The planned airport will serve as a major addition to the region’s aviation network. Airlines such as IndiGo (6E) and Air India (AI) currently operate numerous flights from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), and Navi Mumbai Airport has recently started its operation, and experts suggest the new airport could relieve pressure on existing hubs.
Vadhavan Airport: India’s First Offshore Airport
A pre-feasibility study, commissioned by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADC), is close to completion, outlining the scale of the project and its strategic importance for multimodal transport integration in the region.
The airport will be built entirely on reclaimed land off the coast of the Palghar district, emerging as India’s first offshore aviation hub.
The reclamation work alone is expected to require about ₹25,000 crore of the total estimated cost, with the remainder earmarked for constructing airport infrastructure, including terminals, runways, airside and landside facilities.
Designed to handle around 90 million passengers each year, the facility will rank among the country’s largest airports upon completion. It will feature two parallel runways to support high-traffic movements and accommodate both domestic and international flights.
Alongside passenger services, planners envisage the airport becoming a key air cargo hub with the capacity to handle approximately 3 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, enhancing the logistical capabilities of the region, ET Infra reported.
Connectivity Enhancements
The pre-feasibility report proposes strong connectivity links to ensure the airport is accessible and well-integrated with existing infrastructure.
A direct road link to the Vadodara–Mumbai Expressway is planned to facilitate road access, while a dedicated metro connection to the Western Railway network could support commuter movement.
Further integration with the proposed Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor aims to link the offshore airport with major urban centers, reported ET Infra exclusively.
Additional connections include a link to the planned Uttan–Virar Sea Link — an eight-lane corridor linking the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway.
These strategic transport connections are expected to accelerate travel and freight movement across the region, positioning the airport as a central hub in India’s broader logistics network.
Role in National Development
The Vadhavan offshore airport forms part of a larger national effort to enhance connectivity through air, sea, rail, and road links.
It is closely tied to the development of the adjacent Vadhavan Port — a deep-draft facility projected to significantly enhance India’s container handling capacity.
This coordinated development is intended to link India’s industrial heartlands with global markets via the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), advancing the country’s position as a strategic trade and logistics hub.
Bottom Line
The Vadhavan offshore airport project represents a major leap in India’s aviation and infrastructure ambitions.
With a projected annual capacity of 90 million passengers and significant cargo handling capabilities, this ₹45,000 crore development could transform regional connectivity and economic growth in western India.
Enhanced multimodal links to major highways, rail lines, and trade corridors further solidify its role as a pivotal piece of national transportation infrastructure.
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