Mumbai: Air India group has announced its plan to commence commercial flights from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), as the airport nears its inauguration date. Air India Express will daily operate 20 flights to 15 cities across the country.

Mumbai metropolitan region’s second airport, NMIA, is being prepared for its scheduled inauguration on September 30. After IndiGo and Akasa Air announced their plan to commence operations from the first day of airport’s operations, Air India Group also announced its operation plan on Tuesday, a week before the inauguration. According to sources, the airline group was prepared to announce the operations in July but postponed it due to the tragic AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad.

In the first phase of the new airport’s operations, Air India group’s value carrier Air India Express is said to operate 20 daily departures, which will result in 40 air traffic movements (ATMs), connecting 15 Indian cities to and from NMIA. The airline group also intends to scale up to 55 departures by mid-2026, including up to 5 daily international flights. By Winter 2026, the group aims to further expand its operations to 60 departures from NMIA, connecting passengers to key domestic and international destinations.

Campbell Wilson, chief executive officer and managing director of Air India, said, “We look forward to commencing operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport, as Mumbai joins the league of world cities with more than one airport. We are happy to work with Adani Airports to build NMIA not only as a point that connects to the rest of India, but also as one of the country’s key global transit hubs for passengers and cargo given its strategic geographical location. At the Air India group, we are proud to lead the charge in connecting the West to the East and beyond via India, and our expansion at NMIA will support India’s growth as a global aviation hub.”

Arun Bansal, chief executive officer at Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., said, “We are delighted to welcome Air India Group to Navi Mumbai International Airport as one of our valued airline partners. Their ambitious expansion plans and global vision are perfectly aligned with our aim of making NMIA a benchmark in global aviation. This partnership will redefine Mumbai’s connectivity landscape and strengthen India’s twin-airport strategy, NMIA’s adoption of technology for enhancing efficiency and best in class experience for passengers will play a pivotal role in delivering seamless and superior passenger journeys for decades to come.”

On May 28, IndiGo announced to be the first airline to commence commercial flight operations from NMIA. It plans to operate 18 daily departures in the first phase to 15 Indian cities, further expanding it to over 140 daily domestic and international departures by November 2026. IndiGo also operated the first commercial flight that landed on NMIA on December 29 under the flight validation test.

On June 6, Akasa Air also stayed in step and announced 100 weekly domestic, scaling upto 300 domestic and over 50 international departures weekly in the winter schedule of 2026. The airline had claimed to be deploying the largest percentage of the fleet operating from NMIA.

Flight operations at the greenfield airport will commence with only eight to 10 ATMs every hour in the initial period and will gradually scale up to 30 by the summer of 2026, the airport’s CEO BVJK Sharma had told media. In its initial phase, NMIA is expected to be developed across 58 acres to handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 MMT of cargo per annum, with the capacity to serve 90 million passengers and 3.2 MMT of cargo per annum, once complete.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has unveiled a detailed plan for a pod taxi project in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), a significant business district in Mumbai, featuring 38 proposed stations as part of its first phase, expected to be completed by 2027.

The project aims to enhance last-mile connectivity between major suburban railway stations and key locations within BKC. The project adds up to a total of 54 stations projected to be operational by 2041. The pod taxi system, characterized by its elevated stations, will connect important destinations such as the Regional Passport Office, ONGC Building, Godrej BKC, and Jio World Centre.

Pod taxis, commonly known as “Personal Rapid Transits,” are viewed as among the globe’s most innovative and environmentally friendly transportation systems. ommonly found in Europe, pod taxis function without a driver and travel 5 to 10 meters above the ground. It looks like an electric vehicle and can hold approximately 8 seated and 13 standing passengers. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the pod taxi will enhance urban mobility and guarantee that commuters in busy business areas can use fast, safe, and top-notch transport services

Based on the Techno-Economic Feasibility Study (TEFS), the project will see investment exceeding Rs 1,000 crore. Using a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model, the implementation has been assigned to Sai Green Mobility Private Limited (SGMPT), alongside Ultra PRT, which has prior experience with pod taxi systems, notably at Heathrow Airport.

The proposed line will span approximately 8.8 kilometers and encompass a uniquely structured system of elevated stations with designated paid and unpaid areas. The layout allows passengers to purchase tickets, priced at rs. 21/KM at a dedicated concourse before accessing the paid section for boarding pods.

Notably, two pod depots are suggested within the BKC area: one at MMRDA Pay & Park near the Punjab National Bank and another at a similar facility near Dhirubhai Ambani International School and the Kurla pod taxi terminal will be adjacent to the Kurla railway station, and have a two-storey platform and concourse.

The Pod Taxi is set to run to and fro from Bandra to Kurla covering the G and E block of BKC along Mithi River then to Kalanagar. The said stations would be from Kurla Suburban Station then to NSE Junction, BKC Connector, MCA and US Consulate.

SGMPT plans to construct 38 stations over an 8.8 km corridor at a cost exceeding Rs 1,000 crore, as outlined in a detailed TEFS. The overall project will feature 54 stations across 13.5 km, including terminals at Bandra, Kurla, and Sion. Two interchanges will serve Metro riders at MTNL and NABARD. All pod stations will be elevated, with distinct paid and unpaid areas for ticket purchasing and boarding.

Proposed pod taxi depots are positioned at MMRDA Pay & Park locations near key urban sites. Kurla’s terminal, adjacent to the railway station, faces challenges due to dense development and narrow roads, while Bandra’s terminal features multiple platform levels and facilities. Additional stations recommended include Taximen’s Colony, CBI HQ, and others by 2041.

The project’s socio-economic impact focuses on promoting public transport over private vehicle use, enhancing life quality for economically disadvantaged groups reliant on costly transport. Health outcomes are expected to improve through reduced vehicle dependence, lowering respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

Better mobility will provide access to job opportunities for weaker sections, boosting income and promoting independence for individuals with disabilities. The pod taxi initiative addresses urban transport challenges and aligns with sustainable development goals, reflecting MMRDA’s commitment to innovative urban mobility solutions. The BKC pod taxi project promises transformative benefits for Mumbai’s commuting landscape, fostering economic growth and improved lives.

New Delhi, Sep 23: As Ayushman Bharat marks seven years since its launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted that India is experiencing a revolution in public healthcare. He added that the initiative anticipated future needs and aimed to provide high-quality and affordable healthcare for the people.

PM Modi took to his social media platform X and said, “Today we mark #7YearsOfAyushmanBharat! This was an initiative that anticipated the needs of the future and focussed on ensuring top quality as well as affordable healthcare for people. Thanks to it, India is witnessing a revolution in public healthcare. It has ensured financial protection and dignity. India has shown how scale, compassion and technology can further human empowerment.”

PM Modi also shared a thread of posts from ‘MyGovIndia’ highlighting the outcomes of the scheme.

“True leadership in governance lies in anticipating the needs of tomorrow. As we mark 7 years of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), India celebrates a healthcare revolution that has redefined delivery, ensuring financial protection, universal access and dignity in care for 55+ crore citizens. It is a programme creating the blueprint for how visionary policy can rewrite the destiny of public health,” the post added.

Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health assurance scheme, has broken barriers to make universal health coverage a reality. Till now, over 55 crore citizens have been covered.

Cashless treatment is provided at the point of care, with no out-of-pocket burden. So far, over 42 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued, empowering families with accessible healthcare.

“A promise that protects generations: Government health expenditure rose from 29 per cent to 48 per cent, out-of-pocket costs dropped from 63 per cent to 39 per cent, millions of families were saved from financial ruin due to illness, and universal health coverage now extends to citizens aged over 70 years,” the post reads.

Over 81 lakh Vay Vandana Cards have been issued, 45 per cent of them to women. And, treatments worth Rs 496 crore have already been availed.

“Imagine a system where illness is stopped before it starts: 55+ crore screenings for hypertension, 48+ crore screenings for diabetes at Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs,” said MyGovIndia post.

Dialysis and major surgeries are now affordable for low-income families, says the government, adding that families saved Rs 10,000–15,000 per dialysis session, with a 90 per cent rise in access to cancer treatment.

Under the scheme, which focuses on diagnostics to wellness, free tests were made available at Sub Centres and PHCs (Primary Health Centres), over 5.7 crore sessions of yoga and meditation were held, and nearly 1.8 lakh Aarogya Mandirs were established, bringing healthcare home.

“Ayushman Bharat links: 4+ lakh healthcare facilities, nearly 7 lakh professionals, and 72+ crore health records. Till now, 81+ crore ABHA IDs and 41+ crore teleconsultations, ensuring care anytime, anywhere,” says the MyGovIndia post.

PM-JAY provides high-cost care and stability for vulnerable families. Till now, six crore Indians are protected from poverty every year.

The Economic Survey 2024–25 highlights the impact of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) through increased social security and primary health spending, with recorded savings of over Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

The report also states that government-supported insurance schemes like AB PM-JAY, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), and state-specific programs contribute 2.63 per cent to healthcare financing. The rise in government health spending has significantly reduced financial hardship for households.

Between Fiscal Year 2015 and Fiscal Year 2022, Government Health Expenditure (GHE) increased from 29.0 per cent to 48.0 per cent, while OOPE declined from 62.6 per cent to 39.4 per cent.

As of March 24, more than 36.9 crore Ayushman Cards have been created under the scheme.