New Delhi [India], October 7 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra on October 8 and 9 to inaugurate the Navi Mumbai International Airport and launch several key projects in Mumbai. The visit will also include hosting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of efforts to strengthen India-UK relations.
On October 8, PM Modi will arrive in Navi Mumbai at around 3 pm, undertake a walkthrough of the newly built Navi Mumbai International Airport, and inaugurate the facility at 3:30 pm. He will also launch and dedicate various projects in Mumbai and address the gathering.
On October 9, at 10 am, PM Modi will host UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai. At 1:40 pm, both leaders will attend the CEO Forum at Jio World Centre, followed by participation in the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest at 2:45 pm, where they will deliver keynote addresses.
The inauguration of Phase 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), developed at a cost of about ₹19,650 crore under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), marks a significant step in India’s vision of becoming a global aviation hub. NMIA, India’s largest greenfield airport project, will work alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to ease congestion and transform Mumbai into a global multi-airport city. Spread over 1,160 hectares, the airport will eventually handle 90 million passengers and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo annually.
Innovative features include an Automated People Mover (APM) for inter-terminal transfers, sustainable aviation fuel storage, 47 MW of solar power generation, EV bus services, and India’s first Water Taxi connection to an airport.
PM Modi will also inaugurate Phase 2B of Mumbai Metro Line-3, extending from Acharya Atre Chowk to Cuffe Parade, at an estimated cost of ₹12,200 crore. This will complete the Aqua Line with a total investment exceeding ₹37,270 crore. The fully underground Metro Line-3, spanning 33.5 km with 27 stations, will serve 1.3 million passengers daily, significantly improving connectivity to South Mumbai’s heritage districts and key business hubs.
The Prime Minister will launch Mumbai One — an integrated mobility app covering 11 public transport operators, enabling seamless multimodal travel with digital ticketing, real-time updates, and safety features.
In a major boost to skill development, PM Modi will launch the Short-Term Employability Program (STEP) across 400 Government ITIs and 150 Technical High Schools in Maharashtra. The program will introduce 2,500 new training batches, including 364 for women, in emerging fields such as AI, IoT, EVs, and additive manufacturing.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India on October 8–9 will be his first official trip to the country. Both leaders will review progress in the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under Vision 2035, and engage with business leaders on opportunities under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, themed “Empowering Finance for a Better World”, will host over 100,000 participants from more than 75 countries, featuring 7,500 companies, 800 speakers, and participation from major global financial regulators.
This visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the UK, advancing infrastructure and technology, and enhancing connectivity while promoting innovation and sustainable growth.
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