Airlines may move flights to Navi Mumbai International Airport from summer 2027 as Mumbai airport prepares for Terminal 1 redevelopment.

The Shift

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has asked 12 international airlines to temporarily shift their flight operations to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) from the summer schedule of 2027.

The move comes as Mumbai airport prepares for the redevelopment of Terminal 1, which will affect its existing flight-handling capacity. Out of 50 international airlines that requested flight slots for the summer schedule, the airport has allocated slots to 38 airlines. The remaining 12 have been asked to consider operating from Navi Mumbai.

The affected airlines operate flights to 14 international destinations, including Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Kathmandu and Dhaka.

According to reports, the proposed shift could affect around five million passengers annually, while nearly 91% of Mumbai airport’s existing passenger traffic will remain unaffected. The Terminal 1 redevelopment project is expected to increase its annual passenger-handling capacity from 15 million to 20 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027 and is targeted for completion by March 2029.

Mumbai airport has assured airlines that their existing flight slots will be restored after the redevelopment work is completed. The move is aimed at distributing flight operations between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports while maintaining smooth passenger services during the construction period.

Residents can report noise pollution, illegal firecracker sales and violations of permitted bursting hours through ward-wise and toll-free helplines.

The Helplines

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has introduced a special complaint system to address noise and air pollution caused by firecrackers during Diwali. The civic body has announced separate helpline numbers for all eight administrative wards, along with two toll-free numbers for residents to register complaints.

The facility covers Belapur, Nerul, Vashi, Turbhe, Koparkhairane, Ghansoli, Airoli and Digha. Residents can report loud firecrackers, illegal sales and violations of pollution control guidelines.

As per the Bombay High Court’s directions issued on October 15, 2026, firecrackers are permitted only between 7 pm and 10 pm. Crackers producing noise above 125 decibels are prohibited. Firecrackers containing harmful chemicals such as barium, lithium, arsenic, lead and mercury are also banned.

The NMMC has urged citizens to follow the prescribed timings and avoid excessive use of firecrackers, highlighting the health risks associated with rising air and noise pollution during the festive season.

Residents can contact the following numbers for complaints:

• Belapur: 8976954881
• Nerul: 8976954882
• Turbhe: 8976954883
• Vashi: 8976954884
• Koparkhairane: 8976954885
• Ghansoli: 8976954886
• Airoli: 8976954887
• Digha: 8976954889

Toll-free helplines: 1800222309 / 1800222310

NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde has appealed to residents to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali and help keep the city pollution-free.

Residents question the driver over littering in public, prompting him to clean the stain; video of the incident goes viral on social media.

The Gutkha

A cab driver was confronted by a woman resident for allegedly spitting gutkha on Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing the driver eventually cleaning the spot after being questioned by residents.

The incident reportedly took place when a woman noticed the driver spitting gutkha on the road near his vehicle. She questioned him and asked him to clean the area. However, the driver initially denied the allegation and refused to take responsibility.

The argument intensified when two security guards joined the discussion and questioned the driver. The woman also pointed out that spitting in public places is punishable and can attract fines.

After initially refusing, the driver eventually poured water from a bottle and cleaned the gutkha stain from the road.

The video, shared on social media by Richa Sameet, has triggered discussions about civic sense and the responsibility of citizens to maintain cleanliness in public spaces.

The incident has also highlighted the problem of people spitting tobacco and gutkha on roads and other public places, despite rules against such practices. Residents have stressed the need for greater public awareness and responsible behaviour to keep Navi Mumbai clean.