Khopoli Thrives as Navi Mumbai Airport's First Phase Near Completion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) project with much fanfare, which is expected to begin its first phase of operations within a couple of months. The facility, built to handle 90 million passengers annually, will have a significant impact on the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) transport network. As of now, the Panvel area is set to be the biggest gainer of this development. However, the question arises: What will happen to Khopoli? The answer is quite clear. Khopoli, which boasts excellent expressway connectivity and an expanding industrial base, is poised to reap substantial benefits from the regional growth unlocked by the airport.
CIDCO mentions that the NMIA will have the potential to cater to 60 million passengers annually in its first phase. The development of the airport's initial phase will create a vast number of jobs in aviation, logistics, hospitality, and related services. Consequently, the locality of the airport will not be the only area to witness a rise in employment opportunities. Better connectivity and reduced travel time within the greater MMR will also make peripheral areas suitable for living and working.
According to a recent JLL report, MMR was the hub of significant real estate land transactions in 2024, with the most prominent single-plot acquisitions of 50 acres or more in emerging micro-markets like Khalapur, Palghar, and Khopoli. This report highlights that per-acre land prices have risen significantly from about ₹11 crore in 2022 to ₹17 crore in 2024, indicating that developers have started to place more trust in Khopoli.
Khopoli continues to attract leading developers. Arvind SmartSpaces has plans to develop a 92-acre township, while the Lodha Group is bringing in its premium Lodha Plots Khopoli. Additionally, Godrej Properties is launching the 89-acre Godrej Hillview Estate, and NeoLiv is expanding its presence with two major projects: a 17.5-acre premium plotted development and a 47-acre mixed-use villa and plotted community, both of which are expected to become flagship offerings in the micro-market.
Mr. Mohit Malhotra, Founder & CEO of NeoLiv, shared, “The inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has infused a renewed thrust on the real estate landscape in the extended MMR region, with Khopoli emerging as a noteworthy beneficiary. While areas like Panvel and Ulwe will see immediate gains due to their direct proximity to the airport, Khopoli’s strategic location along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway positions it to benefit indirectly yet significantly from the broader regional development. Enhanced air connectivity will be a strong catalyst for economic growth, real estate development, and tourism in this belt. Khopoli's location along the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, combined with its proximity to steel plants, chemical hubs, and multiple manufacturing clusters, has reinforced its role as a key industrial and warehousing destination. As regional planning bodies push for outward expansion, demand for organized residential formats has begun to rise.”
The city is increasingly attracting a diverse mix of homebuyers, including airport-connected professionals, employees in the logistics and manufacturing sectors, workers doing hybrid jobs, and middle-income families seeking affordable housing options in Panvel and Ulwe. Additionally, its eco-friendly surroundings are luring second-home buyers who are in pursuit of a peaceful and nature-filled lifestyle.
Considering these changes in buyer preferences, Sam Chopra, President & CEO of eXp Realty India, said, “Rising demand for gated communities, plotted developments, and lifestyle-centric housing, including second homes, signals a shift toward practical, future-ready living.”
There is a balance between affordability and aspirational lifestyle needs in the Khopoli area, which lies at the base of the Sahyadri Mountains and continues to attract tourists in large numbers. With its waterfalls, trekking trails, and proximity to leisure destinations like Imagicaa and Khandala, the region is becoming popular not only as a residential hub but also as a micro-market for leisure. Therefore, the dual appeal of the asset class is allowing partners to expand their clientele: both end users and investors.
With land for development becoming limited in core MMR and growth due to NMIA moving towards the east, Khopoli is set to become a charming, well-connected satellite city within the extended metropolitan footprint. Better connectivity, rising housing demand, and a combination of industrial strength and natural beauties are the factors gradually transforming Khopoli from a conventional industrial pocket into a balanced urban node with long-term growth potential.
