Year-Ender 2025: From Navi Mumbai International Airport To Educity, CIDCO Marks A Historic Growth Year

Mumbai:
The year 2025 emerged as a defining chapter in the evolution of Navi Mumbai, with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) steering multiple landmark infrastructure, housing, transport and education initiatives. From the inauguration of the long-awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport to the rollout of metro expansions, mass housing schemes and the ambitious NAINA and Educity projects, CIDCO’s activities in 2025 significantly reshaped the region’s urban and economic landscape.

The year began with a strong public response to CIDCO’s housing initiatives. In January 2025, the “My Preferred CIDCO Home” scheme received overwhelming participation, with more than 10,000 applicants successfully submitting their preferences along with booking amounts. The response reaffirmed sustained demand for transparent and affordable housing in Navi Mumbai.

February marked a major milestone on the global stage when CIDCO signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding at the World Economic Forum in Davos to develop an International Education City. In the same month, CIDCO successfully conducted the draw for its 2024–25 Mass Housing Scheme lottery, allotting 19,850 homes to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Lower Income Group (LIG) beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The twin developments highlighted CIDCO’s parallel focus on global partnerships and social housing.

Connectivity projects gathered momentum in April with CIDCO finalising the Detailed Project Report for Metro Line 8, also known as the Gold Line. The proposed line will directly connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with Navi Mumbai International Airport, strengthening Mumbai’s multi-modal transport network and easing inter-airport travel. The DPR was submitted to the Government of Maharashtra for approval.

In May, Navi Mumbai’s aspirations as an education hub took a concrete step forward as CIDCO facilitated MoUs with institutions including Eruditus, the University of Western Australia and the University of York. The agreements paved the way for foreign universities to establish campuses in the proposed Educity, positioning Navi Mumbai as a future centre for global higher education.

Public transport modernization continued in June with the introduction of a QR-based ticketing system on Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1, enhancing commuter convenience and promoting digital integration. In August, CIDCO set up a dedicated ‘Hirkani Kaksh’ at CIDCO Bhavan to support women employees and visitors, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive and gender-sensitive workplaces.

September proved to be one of the busiest months of the year. Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 crossed the milestone of over one crore passenger ridership, reflecting growing public confidence in metro connectivity. During the same month, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved CIDCO’s proposal for the Elevated Seamless Road Corridor connecting Thane with Navi Mumbai International Airport under a PPP BOT toll model with Viability Gap Funding. Additionally, multiple packages under the NAINA Town Planning Scheme were awarded, with work orders worth ₹7,924 crore, accelerating planned urban development in the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area.

The most historic moment came on 8 October 2025, when the Navi Mumbai International Airport was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The airport is expected to transform regional and national aviation capacity, boost economic growth and enhance Mumbai’s global connectivity.

Momentum continued into the final quarter. In November, CIDCO submitted DPRs for Metro Line 1A and Line 2 for state approval, signalling further metro expansion. December witnessed the commencement of ferry services from the Passenger Water Transport Terminal at Nerul, adding a new dimension to urban mobility. The year concluded with the launch of an inclusive housing scheme at NAINA, reinforcing CIDCO’s long-term vision of planned, equitable urban growth.

As 2025 draws to a close, CIDCO’s multi-sector achievements stand out as a pivotal force in shaping Navi Mumbai’s transformation into a globally connected, future-ready city.