ALGHAR— Maharashtra has taken a significant step toward developing India’s first offshore airport, with the state government advancing plans for a new aviation hub near Kore Beach in Palghar district.
The proposed airport is expected to reduce congestion at Mumbai while supporting the long-term growth of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s aviation network.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) after inspecting the proposed site, Travel and Leisure Asia reported.
Once operational, the offshore airport is designed to handle around 90 million passengers and approximately 3 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, making it one of India’s largest planned aviation infrastructure projects.
The development will complement existing capacity at Navi Mumbai (NMI) and Mumbai while strengthening regional connectivity.
Offshore Airport Plan in Maharashtra
Unlike conventional airports built entirely on land, the proposed facility will be constructed on reclaimed land in the Arabian Sea.
Offshore airports are typically developed in regions where available land is limited, allowing governments to expand aviation infrastructure without relying on large inland land acquisitions.
The proposed airport site lies near Kore Beach in Palghar district, roughly 4.75 kilometers from the Uttan–Virar Sea Link.
State authorities are also evaluating an extension of the sea link to provide direct access between Mumbai and the future airport, improving travel times for passengers and cargo operators.
Current plans call for two runways capable of supporting heavy passenger and cargo operations. The airport is expected to play a major role in accommodating future air traffic demand that existing airports in the Mumbai region may struggle to absorb over the coming decades.
Connectivity Benefits for Palghar
The offshore airport has been planned as part of a broader multimodal transport network across western India.
It is expected to connect with the Dedicated Freight Corridor, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, the Mumbai–Vadodara Expressway, and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway.
The project will also integrate with the upcoming Vadhavan Port, creating an important logistics hub for western India.
Officials believe the combination of air, road, rail, and maritime infrastructure will strengthen cargo movement while supporting industrial development across Maharashtra.
According to the state government, improved connectivity could significantly enhance freight operations serving Vadhavan and Murbe ports while creating additional capacity for both domestic and international aviation.
Passenger Capacity of the Proposed Airport
The proposed airport is designed to process approximately 90 million passengers annually alongside 3 million metric tonnes of cargo.
Those figures place it among India’s largest planned airports and position it as a long-term solution for rising aviation demand in the country’s busiest metropolitan region.
The project remains in the planning stage, with the DPR expected to determine the technical, environmental, and financial aspects of construction before work can proceed.
Authorities have emphasized that the airport is intended to support future passenger growth rather than replace existing aviation infrastructure.
If approved following detailed studies, the offshore airport would mark a historic milestone for India’s aviation sector as the country’s first airport developed on reclaimed land.
The project also reflects Maharashtra’s broader strategy to expand transport infrastructure while improving passenger capacity, cargo efficiency, and regional economic growth.
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