The Maharashtra government has withdrawn its proposal submitted to the Union civil aviation ministry for developing an airport at Kalyan, 55 km from Mumbai. The government now feels that it would instead pursue the proposed airport at Panvel in Navi Mumbai for which approval from the ICAO is in place.

Reports suggest that the Maharashtra government had indeed submitted a proposal to the Union civil aviation ministry but this was later withdrawn since it lacked inherent seriousness.

It is learnt that a non-functional airport (airbase) of around 1,700 acres exists at Nevali, 5 km from Kalyan. This was used during World War II (1939-45) as a second airbase for Mumbai. The proposal for developing Nevali airport arose since all the land required was already available. The airbase is currently owned by the defence ministry.

Also See:

New airport proposed in Maharashtra (30-Oct-06)