A metro link improving access to the terminals, expansion of the new T2 terminal, a new taxiway and a tunnel under the runway for airside (the area within an airport’s passport, Customs control and security checks) vehicular movement are being planned in the second phase of the modernisation of the airport here.
The total cost for these upgrades, to be completed between financial years 2016 and 2019, is pegged at Rs 1,600 crore, including interest cost and the pre-operative expense of Rs 341 crore. Executives at the Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) outlined the development plans last week and will form an Airport Users Consultative Committee comprising airlines, the Airport Authority of India and other stakeholders.

MIAL did not respond to an email query.
The airport is the second busiest in the country but suffers from airside congestion, reducing capacity. The integrated T2 terminal opened for international operations in February; domestic operations will shift there next year. Its hub potential, too, is limited. The second phase of construction at the airport is aimed at improving both the connectivity to the terminals and boosting terminal & runway capacity.
This includes expanding the T2 by building the southeast pier that will let MIAL add seven passenger boarding bridges or aerobridges, taking the total to 29 bridges.
The proposed metro link to the airport as part of the Colaba-Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (-Seepz) line will reduce the commute time between Colaba and the airport to 40 minutes from around an hour now. In the airport, three stations have been planned — one each at the domestic and international terminals and in the GVK SkyCity, a commercial hub being planned on airport land.