India Approves First Offshore Airport in Maharashtra

India’s first offshore airport has been approved for preparation of a Detailed Project Report in Maharashtra. The proposed site is near Kore beach in Palghar district, and the project is planned as the third international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Project Location and Planning

The proposed airport site is near Kore beach in Palghar district, Maharashtra. A pre-feasibility report has classified the project as feasible, and the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation is overseeing the proposal.

Capacity and Design Features

The airport is planned with two parallel runways. The design capacity is up to 90 million passengers annually and about 3 million metric tonnes of cargo each year.

Connectivity and Associated Infrastructure

The project is planned with links to the Uttan-Virar Sea Link, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train station, and the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. It is also integrated with the upcoming Vadhavan Port development for logistics connectivity.

Cost and Timeline

Estimated project cost figures vary across official and media references, with values of about ₹45,000 crore and about ₹76,220 crore. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, and operations are projected for the early 2030s.

Important Facts for Exams

• Palghar district is located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
• Mumbai already has Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport as its main operational airport.
• Offshore airports are built on reclaimed land or marine structures near the coast.
• Vadhavan Port is a major planned deep-water port project in Maharashtra.