Will Mumbai’s third airport come up in Virar instead of Palghar?

The Navi Mumbai International Airport, where operations commenced on December 25. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

The Maharashtra government is exploring Virar as the site for Mumbai's proposed third airport, after the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Navi Mumbai International Airports. While Palghar was earlier announced as the site, the state is now also considering Virar and has accordingly initiated a study to decide which location is more suitable.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that the government has asked for expert inputs before taking a final call. Speaking at a public rally in Nalasopara ahead of the civic elections, he said the study would compare Virar and Palghar in terms of long-term development.

Elaborating further on the development plans, Fadnavis said, "If the airport comes up at Virar, it can be directly connected to the proposed Vadhavan Port through the Coastal Road, making travel easier. If the report favours Palghar, the government will improve connectivity between Vasai-Virar, the airport and the port."

Fadnavis is said to be keen to expedite the project, which has been approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The aim is to help "create an ecosystem of a third Mumbai" in Palghar and Vasai-Virar, anchored by major infrastructure such as a port, an airport, and a bullet train.

Emphasising further on development, the CM promised to bring big changes in the region and urged voters to vote for progress and performance. "Change is needed in the local civic body," Fadnavis said in a veiled attack on the Bhaujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), which has been single-handedly ruling the Vasai-Virar municipal corporation. The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) will have a total of 115 elected members across 29 wards. Of the total seats, 58 have been reserved for women.