In a major relief for air travellers, the Maharashtra Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved the Metro Line 8 project connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The Rs 18,000-crore project will span about 35 km with 25 stations, including underground and elevated sections.
Land acquisition is to be completed within six months, and the project is targeted for completion in three and a half years.
Once operational, the corridor will significantly reduce travel time between the two airports and strengthen Mumbai’s multimodal transport network through metro and railway interchanges.
This development puts the spotlight on Andhra Pradesh and its approach to airport connectivity, especially with the upcoming Bhogapuram Airport near Visakhapatnam.
Currently, travel from Vizag city to Bhogapuram Airport takes close to 3-4 hours by road, exposing the lack of proper planning. There is no metro link, no wide express corridor, and no dedicated airport flyover.
In contrast, Hyderabad’s PV Narasimha Rao Expressway was built on a war footing under then Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, ensuring seamless airport access and long-term urban mobility benefits.
Merely boasting about the new Bhogapuram Airport is not enough. An airport’s success depends heavily on how quickly and comfortably passengers can reach it.
Without strong road, rail, or metro infrastructure between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram, the airport risks remaining underutilized.
The AP government must move beyond announcements and focus on building robust connectivity in parallel with airport development.
Infrastructure between the city and the airport is not optional; it is absolutely crucial.
Hope Andhra Pradesh learns from Maharashtra and ensures that air travel does not become a punishment for the people and commuters of Visakhapatnam.