PM to inaugurate Navi Mumbai airport, metro line

Mumbai, Oct 7 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate phase one of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and the final phase of Mumbai Metro Line-3 during his two-day Maharashtra visit beginning Wednesday.

Modi will also launch Mumbai One, India’s first integrated common mobility app for 11 public transport operators, an official release said.

Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet in Mumbai as part of the process to strengthen the India–UK strategic partnership, the release said.

The two leaders will review India–UK strategic partnership and Vision 2035 Roadmap, the release said. They will also address the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, it added.

After reaching Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, Modi will undertake a walkthrough of the newly-built Navi Mumbai International Airport, the release said.

He will inaugurate the airport and also launch and dedicate various projects in Mumbai. He will also address a public gathering on the occasion.

On October 9, Modi will host Starmer in Mumbai. They will attend the CEO Forum and the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest, the release said.

The phase one of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has been built at a cost of Rs 19,650 crore, the release said.

It is India’s largest greenfield airport project, developed under the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model. As the second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, NMIA will work in tandem with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to ease congestion and elevate Mumbai into the league of global multi-airport systems, the release said.

Modi will inaugurate 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 will dedicate 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, it said.

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

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

The programme will be 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.

During their meeting, Modi and Starmer will take stock of the progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with the ‘Vision 2035’ roadmap of initiatives in trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people to people relations.

Both the leaders will engage with businesses and industry leaders on opportunities presented by the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a central pillar of the future India–UK economic partnership.

They will exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. Both the leaders will also engage with industry experts, policymakers and innovators. PTI VT VT