Aerocity plan in Navi Mumbai takes off; will have offices, schools, entertainment, hospitals

Mumbai: Cidco has kicked off the process of developing an aerocity abutting Navi Mumbai International Airport.

As airports serve as an engine to boost economy, the aerocity will be a commercial and residential district on its southern side spread over around 300 hectares. From financial services and corporate offices to residential and entertainment centres, hotels, hospitals, schools, and export-oriented services to aero-centric warehousing, the aerocity will accommodate and offer a range of activities and facilities. In all, 400 lakh square feet will be developed as part of the plan, including well-designed roads, Metro lines and automated waste collection systems.

“There is a requirement for financial services and banks, besides residential and commercial facilities, as airports are economic engines. Building an aerocity serves that purpose,” a Cidco official said.

Cidco vice-chairman and MD Sanjay Mukherjee said, “The land acquisition is complete, and the project has been divided into four packets. International consultants have been appointed for techno-economic feasibility, marketing assessment, and so on. As we begin our mission again, we are taking a holistic view on the development of Navi Mumbai.”

Aerocities around the world are built with a focus on a particular sector while some serve as transit destinations. The sectors may range from financial to cargo services or aero-centric activities.

Cidco officials said to enable a conducive urban design form and make the aerocity a benchmark for development in the country, it will be developed with a global floor space index. The Navi Mumbai Aerocity will also offer a central command-and-control operation to manage all utilities. More importantly, utilities will be laid through tunnels to avoid digging of roads. The concept plan has been finalised and a detailed master plan along with a detailed design of the facilities will be taken up shortly.