In a landmark move to boost aviation infrastructure and coastal development, Maharashtra has unveiled plans to construct India’s first offshore airport, located off the Arabian Sea coast near Palghar, north of Mumbai.
This will also serve as Mumbai’s third airport, following Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The offshore airport is expected to revolutionize air connectivity, decongest urban skies, and introduce a new era of sea-based aviation infrastructure.
“This ambitious project will be a game-changer for Maharashtra and India’s civil aviation sector,” said Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister. “It reflects our vision to bring global-scale infrastructure to India.”
- Location: Offshore, near Palghar, approximately 100 km north of Mumbai
- Type: First-ever floating/offshore airport in India
- Purpose: Reduce traffic from existing Mumbai airports and support future demand
- Expected Cost: ₹75,000 crore (estimated)
- Timeline: Feasibility and environmental studies underway; foundation work to begin by mid-2026
The project will be developed using advanced marine engineering and land reclamation techniques, similar to international models like Kansai International Airport (Japan) and Hong Kong International Airport.
Environmental safeguards and marine biodiversity protection are also at the heart of the plan, with the Maharashtra government assuring that eco-sensitive zones will be preserved, and sustainability protocols will be strictly enforced.
Once complete, the offshore airport is expected to handle over 60 million passengers annually and serve as a strategic international hub, opening new economic corridors in western India.
“It’s not just an airport — it’s the future of resilient infrastructure in a climate-challenged world,” said civil aviation expert Rakesh Mahajan.
Maharashtra’s offshore airport could soon become a symbol of India’s engineering ambition — taking flight, quite literally, from the sea.
