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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

NMIA set for commercial take-off on December 25

Long-term expansion plans take shape Mumbai: Even as long-term expansion plans gather momentum, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is preparing to mark a defining milestone with the commencement of commercial operations from December 25, 2025. Sources familiar with the development confirmed that the first flight is scheduled to land at NMIA at around 8.30 am from Bengaluru, operated by IndiGo. The same aircraft will subsequently depart for Delhi, symbolically placing the greenfield...

NMIA set for commercial take-off on December 25

Long-term expansion plans take shape Mumbai: Even as long-term expansion plans gather momentum, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is preparing to mark a defining milestone with the commencement of commercial operations from December 25, 2025. Sources familiar with the development confirmed that the first flight is scheduled to land at NMIA at around 8.30 am from Bengaluru, operated by IndiGo. The same aircraft will subsequently depart for Delhi, symbolically placing the greenfield airport on India’s aviation map and formally integrating it into the country’s busiest air corridors. This operational launch comes at a time when the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the project’s nodal planning authority, has initiated the process to appoint a consultant for conducting a geotechnical feasibility study for a proposed third runway at NMIA. The parallel movement of near-term operational readiness and long-term capacity planning underlines the strategic importance of the airport, not just as a secondary facility to Mumbai, but as a future aviation hub in its own right. The December 25 launch date carries significance beyond symbolism. NMIA has been envisioned for over two decades as a critical solution to the capacity constraints at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which operates close to saturation. With limited scope for further expansion at Mumbai’s existing airport, NMIA’s entry into operations is expected to ease congestion, rationalise flight schedules and improve overall passenger experience across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Modest Operations Initial operations are expected to be modest, focusing on select domestic routes, with Bengaluru and Delhi being logical starting points given their high passenger volumes and strong business connectivity with Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Aviation experts note that starting with trunk routes allows operators and airport systems to stabilise operations, fine-tune processes and gradually scale up capacity. IndiGo’s choice as the first operator also reflects the airline’s dominant market share and its strategy of early-mover advantage at new airports. While NMIA’s first phase includes two runways, the initiation of a geotechnical feasibility study for a third runway highlights planners’ expectations of robust long-term demand. CIDCO’s move to appoint a consultant at this early stage suggests that authorities are keen to future-proof the airport, learning from the capacity limitations faced by CSMIA. A third runway, if found technically and environmentally feasible, would significantly enhance NMIA’s ability to handle peak-hour traffic, support parallel operations and attract international long-haul flights over time. The feasibility study will play a critical role in determining soil conditions, land stability, construction challenges and environmental sensitivities, particularly given Navi Mumbai’s complex terrain and proximity to mangroves and water bodies. Experts point out that such studies are essential to avoid cost overruns and execution delays, which have historically plagued large infrastructure projects in the region. From an economic perspective, the operationalisation of NMIA is expected to act as a catalyst for growth across Navi Mumbai and adjoining regions. Improved air connectivity is likely to boost commercial real estate, logistics parks, hospitality and tourism, while also strengthening the case for ancillary infrastructure such as metro lines, road corridors and airport-linked business districts. The timing of the airport’s opening also aligns with broader infrastructure upgrades underway in the MMR, including new highways and rail connectivity, which could amplify NMIA’s impact. However, challenges remain. Smooth coordination between airlines, ground handling agencies, security forces and air traffic control will be critical during the initial phase. Any operational hiccups could affect public perception of the new airport, making the first few weeks crucial. Additionally, the transition of flights from CSMIA to NMIA will need careful calibration to ensure passenger convenience and airline viability. As NMIA prepares to welcome its first aircraft on December 25, the simultaneous push towards planning a third runway signals a clear message: the airport is not just opening for today’s needs, but is being positioned to serve the region’s aviation demands for decades to come.

BJP’s youngest working President takes charge

Bihar leader Nitin Nabin’s rise signals a strategic shift for the saffron party amid leadership transition

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New Delhi: The appointment of Bihar BJP minister Nitin Nabin as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) National Working President has created a frisson of excitement through party ranks as well as among political observers. The decision was announced on Sunday by national general secretary Arun Singh on behalf of the BJP’s Parliamentary Board. Following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, party president JP Nadda was appointed Union Health Minister, prompting a search for a new national president. Nadda had become national president in 2020, with his term ending in June 2024, he has been on extension since then.


This move is viewed as a strategic shift linking Bihar’s politics with national dynamics. The central leadership chose Nabin for his organizational experience, grassroots connect, and administrative skills. His appointment also implies that the so-called ‘cold war’ that was brewing between the BJP and its parent body, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has ended.


The appointment naturally signals more than an organizational tweak as it is poised to shape national politics ahead. Nabin is seen within the BJP as a leader who has served at every level, from the youth wing to state government and now the national organization, embodying the party’s trust.


Insiders know him as a disciplined organizer, a strong strategist and a solid ground-level connector. Thos familiar with Nabin’s skills say it is no surprise that when the party needed to sharpen its national structure, eyes turned towards him.


Nabin began his political journey with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), serving as national general secretary and to engage youth for Bihar. This experience propelled him to state in-charge for Chhattisgarh and now working national president.


Nabin boasts a strong hold in Bihar, credited with helping the BJP win more seats there. He has won the Bihar Assembly elections for a record fifth consecutive time and rejoined the cabinet. He currently represents the Bankipur constituency.


Bengal Gambit

Hailing from the Kayastha community, a reliable core BJP voter base, this appointment strengthens organizationally while signalling social representation and balance. Top posts for Kayastha leaders have long been discussed. Nabin could play a key role in upcoming West Bengal elections and Uttar Pradesh’s 2027 polls.


A familiar name in Bihar politics, the five-time MLA serves as Road Construction Minister in the current government. Winning Bankipur constituency four times in a row after delimitation, Nabin has carried forward his late father Naveen Sinha’s legacy while shining in government and organisation.


He is known for accelerating road construction and advancing urban housing schemes under his leadership. His path from youth politics to cabinet minister and now national working president places him among the BJP’s influential leaders.


The BJP appointed him in-charge for Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, which the party won decisively. His dual experience in government and organization is extensive.


Public Trust

Nabin, MLA from Patna’s Bankipur seat, has won public trust for five straight terms. His debut victory came in the 2006 by-election, followed by wins in 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025. In 2020, he triumphed by nearly 84,000 votes, defeating Shatrughan Sinha’s son Luv Sinha handily. In 2025, he secured 98,299 votes, beating RJD’s Rekha Kumari by a massive 51,936 votes-his biggest margin yet.


Born in Patna on May 23, 1980, Nabin studied in Delhi. His father, Naveen Kishor Sinha, was a BJP stalwart and MLA who started in the JP Movement. He died of a heart attack in 2005 at age 55, when Nabin was just 26.


Post his father’s death, Nabin plunged into electoral politics, quickly building his own mark. Before that, his BJYM role honed his organizational skills. He first joined Nitish Kumar’s cabinet in February 2021 and was re-inducted last month after elections. He now handles Road Construction and Urban Development and Housing.


At just 45, Nabin is the youngest to hold this BJP responsibility, Amit Shah was 50 when he became national president. It is a bold gamble by the party.


"The BJP not only promotes youths but also guides and curates them to achieve larger goals. It is the only party that allows its grassroots workers to thrive. I have always worked on the ideas of my father, who considered the party as his mother and prioritised the nation over everything. I think that is the reason the party has blessed me with this opportunity to continue working with BJP workers."

Nitin Nabin, Working President, BJP

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