The terminal’s design is inspired by India’s national flower, the lotus. It has columns that resemble lotus petals and large mega-columns that support a roof in a canopy style.
It will generate about 47 MW of solar power. Other green features include recycling wastewater and harvesting rainwater. The design also includes using electric vehicles for airside operations.
Alongside passenger operations, NMIA will include significant cargo and MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facilities. It is expected to handle over 3 million metric tons of cargo each year when fully operational.
NMIA is often called India’s first fully digital airport. It features biometric and contactless boarding, AI-enhanced baggage tracking, and automated check-ins.
The airport is built under a public-private partnership between Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, which owns about 74%, and CIDCO (City & Industrial Development Corporation), which holds around 26%.
It covers about 1,160 hectares. NMIAi will handle approximately 20 million passengers each year in its first phase. Eventually, after all phases are complete, it is expected to increase to around 90 million passengers a year.
The airport will connect through several transport options, including highways, metro, suburban rail, and even water taxi services. This makes it one of the first in India with such combined connectivity.
..................................................