When Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on October 8, 2025, it marked far more than the opening of another terminal – it signified a turning point in India’s aviation and infrastructure narrative. Developed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) in partnership with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), NMIA represents a bold vision of how modern India intends to connect its people, power its economy and project its identity on the global stage.“The Navi Mumbai International Airport is a project that exemplifies the vision of a developed India,” said Prime Minister Modi during the inauguration. “Built on the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, its design, resembling a lotus flower, makes it a living symbol of culture and prosperity.”Set across 1,160 hectare, the airport is designed to complement Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) as part of Mumbai’s dual-airport system, easing congestion while driving new connectivity across Western India. With an initial capacity of 20 million passengers per annum (mppa), scaling up to 90 mppa, NMIA is poised to become one of the largest and most advanced aviation hubs in Asia.A vision rooted in design and identityAt the heart of NMIA’s identity is its architecture – a fluid, lotus-inspired design by Zaha Hadid Architects, symbolising renewal and grace. The terminal roof unfurls like petals, while the central atrium evokes a lotus pond, blending cultural depth with futuristic form. Natural light, passive cooling and wide-span column structures create an experience that is both sustainable and serene.The design reflects India’s ambition to merge functionality with cultural storytelling. Every line and curve reinforces the metaphor of the lotus: rising from its surroundings as a symbol of resilience, balance, and aspiration.Engineering the futureBehind NMIA’s elegant silhouette lies one of the most complex construction efforts in India’s infrastructure history. From tunnelling through hills to relocating entire villages, every milestone has been achieved through rigorous planning, engineering precision and collaboration among leading industry players.Enlight Metals was one such contributor, entrusted with supplying 3,200 metric tonne (mt) of high-strength hot rolled steel sheets (E350BR grade) for the airport’s structural framework. The challenge was formidable: the contractor required the full quantity within just 10 days.“We were entrusted with the supply of 3,200 mt of HR sheet material for structural use in the terminal buildings,” says Vedant Goel, Director, Enlight Metals Pvt Ltd. “Our technology-driven approach played a critical role in streamlining operations. With real-time tracking systems and efficient production planning, we ensured every batch was processed, tested and delivered on time, meeting all quality parameters.”This seamless execution reflects the supply chain agility and quality focus driving India’s next-generation infrastructure. For NMIA, where precision meets massive scale, such contributions form the backbone of its engineering excellence.Built for Mumbai’s climateIn a coastal city known for its intense monsoon, durability and waterproofing become defining challenges, especially for airport structures that must operate without interruption. The bridges and taxiway decks at NMIA demanded a waterproofing system that could endure heavy traffic, high humidity and years of wear.This is where Tikidan, a leading provider of advanced construction solutions, played a pivotal role. The company supplied its high-performance Asphaltoseal (5 mm) waterproofing system for the taxiway bridge and the bridge approaching the departure terminal – both critical access points for passengers and aircraft. “Our solutions are designed to make critical concrete surfaces safer, stronger, and more sustainable,” says Shruti Shah, Director - Marketing, Tikidan. “At Navi Mumbai International Airport, Asphaltoseal ensures that bridges and ramps are protected with a high-performance waterproofing solution that delivers longevity and reliability in one seamless system.” Mumbai’s tropical conditions demand such resilience. Asphaltoseal’s monolithic, bitumen-based membrane acts as a 100 per cent waterproof barrier while maintaining strong adhesion with PMB/VG bituminous mixes. This ensures structural stability even under dynamic loads and temperature variations, a key factor for long-term performance. By integrating safety and waterproofing, Tikidan’s solution not only prevents water ingress but also protects the concrete decks from chloride-induced corrosion, extending the lifespan of the airport’s access infrastructure.Sustainability and smart integrationNMIA is envisioned as a multimodal transport hub, seamlessly connecting to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Navi Mumbai Metro, suburban rail and planned waterways. This interconnectivity reduces travel time while boosting passenger and cargo movement across Western India.In its first phase, NMIA will handle 20 million passengers annually and 0.5 million tonne of cargo, eventually scaling to handle 3.2 million tonne. Its proximity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) allows for an integrated sea-air logistics cluster, creating an efficient transshipment corridor for perishables, pharmaceuticals and industrial cargo.“NMIA is a landmark in India’s aviation journey, uniting cutting-edge technology, sustainability and a passenger-first experience,” says Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings. “By complementing CSMIA, it reinforces Mumbai’s role as a global aviation hub and sets a blueprint for future-ready airports nationwide.”Catalyst for regional growthBeyond its physical scale, NMIA is expected to reshape Maharashtra’s economic landscape. By easing congestion at CSMIA and introducing new connectivity corridors, the project will drive real estate, logistics and tourism across Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune and the Konkan region. Experts forecast that NMIA will attract billions in domestic and foreign investments, boosting Maharashtra’s GDP by nearly 0.5 per cent. The airport’s development has already fuelled infrastructure upgrades, spurred commercial growth and accelerated urban transformation around Ulwe and Panvel.A symbol of Viksit Bharat 2047For Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, NMIA represents more than infrastructure – it’s a vision of India’s future. “In an era where India ascends among the world’s largest economies, we have built more than an airport – we have architected Bharat as a gateway and as one of the world’s most indispensable crossroads,” he stated. “This infrastructure does not just serve today’s demand; it creates tomorrow’s exponential possibilities.”As the lotus-shaped terminal rises over Navi Mumbai’s skyline, it stands as both an engineering marvel and a metaphor – a symbol of a nation that continues to reinvent itself, rising with purpose and precision toward a new era of progress.- KAVITA PARABFACT SHEET ·       Project name: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) ·       Location: Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India ·       Developer: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIAL), a PPP between Mumbai International Airport and CIDCO ·       Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects ·       Total site area: About 1,160 ha (2,866 acre) ·       Total investment: About Rs 16,700 crore (project cost under PPP) ·       Initial passenger handling capacity: 20 million passengers per annum (mppa) – Phase 1 ·       Ultimate capacity: 90 mppa ·       Cargo handling capacity: 0.5 million tonne (mt) annually (Phase 1), scalable to 3.2 mt ·       Key vendors and partners: Enlight Metals, Tikidan India.