Mumbai (BOM) | Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

[Cov Boy]

Excellent up-date! Thanks.

[MeMumbaikar]

excellent pics

thankyou all

[abhipinak]

Brilliant pics.. Thanks Koresh and CG.....WEll done guys..

[hgsalunke]

Originally Posted by aviana

Santacruz airport in 1960's

http://www.flickr.com/photos/argente...7611125142827/

Thank you Aviana for this picture. Please upload some more of old Mumbai airport if you have any.

Amidst several pictures of "mumbai airport upgradation" uploaded recently, this one is nostalgic of old beautiful santacruz airport.

The route to Santacruz airport was laden with lush green trees on either side. There was a BEST stop right outside the terminal (what is now terminal B on the domestic airport).

The photograph has been clicked from the balcony (or terrace) from where the accompanying visitors and relatives had a full view of the airport. The departure was a small gate which is visible below. There were few flights arriving and departing and hence the place was generally quiet.

What is more interesting is you do not see slums on the far end!! The far end is now sandesh nagar, kurla end which is filled with slums.

[digital82]

Amazing Updates... Thanks!!!

[koresh]

Mumbai Airport

[aviana]

In this picture are we facing towards Kalina military camp?

Originally Posted by hgsalunke

Thank you Aviana for this picture. Please upload some more of old Mumbai airport if you have any.

Amidst several pictures of "mumbai airport upgradation" uploaded recently, this one is nostalgic of old beautiful santacruz airport.

The route to Santacruz airport was laden with lush green trees on either side. There was a BEST stop right outside the terminal (what is now terminal B on the domestic airport).

The photograph has been clicked from the balcony (or terrace) from where the accompanying visitors and relatives had a full view of the airport. The departure was a small gate which is visible below. There were few flights arriving and departing and hence the place was generally quiet.

What is more interesting is you do not see slums on the far end!! The far end is now sandesh nagar, kurla end which is filled with slums.

[hgsalunke]

Originally Posted by aviana

In this picture are we facing towards Kalina military camp?

There are two pictures worth viewing. One due to Aviana uploaded yesterday. viz



Mumbai Airport in 1967. This picture shows Kalina military camp on the right far end (the green cover). This is only partly occupied by military now as Airport quarters & slums have occupied the front grounds.
On the far left just before the Trombay hill we see a green patch which is now Sandesh Nagar slums and Kurla end. The cross runway (14/27) ends here.

Another picture worth watching is here below.


This was Santacruz airport in 1948. On the far left (green patch) is a small Sahar village which is now a large Sahar slum.

The pictures show very clearly that although there were small villages near Vakola and Sahar, it is now largely encroached by slums.

[adam_india]

When did the slums come up? 80's?

[Vicky007]

Mumbai airport first in country to have international terminal for private jet owners.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mumbai...e1-686970.aspx

Mumbai airport upgrades communication system

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mu...system/777220/

Mumbai International Airport's secondary runway may get Instrument Landing System soon

http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/mumb...tem-soon-13163

[globetraveller360]

Koresh cheers for the pics keep us updated on how Mumbai airport is getting on.

[globetraveller360]

By the way when will it be completed?? its about time India finally have world class airports.

[hgsalunke]

Originally Posted by adam_india

When did the slums come up? 80's?

Slums in mumbai were a result of lack of town planning post 1947 together with rising population because of migrant labour.

In the 40s, the airport land was largely open and used for agriculture. There were small villages at Sahar, Chakala, Parle, Vakola, Kalina and Kurla. The land was procured from the villagers for airport post world war II.

The Santacruz airport was opened in 1948 (see picture above). The Congress government had neither foresight nor any town planning then. Part of the land was used for commercial purpose and for airport staff. Remaining land remained unused in the 50s and early 60s.

Slowly as the land became premium Sahar, Vakola and Kurla villages started swelling in numbers. The government still slept.

In the late seventies Sahar international airport was opened but no action was still taken to cordon off open spaces on Kurla side. Jarimari & Kural end could still have been saved.

Eventually in the 80s and 90s the government slowly opened its eyes for airport expansion and realised that opened spaces has been filled up with slums. Sandesh Nagar, Kranti Nagar, parts of Jari Mari, parts of Vakola, and parts of Sahar slums came up only in late 80s and early 90s. However even then the project went to floor only in 2004. Matters are now worse with little land available for re-habilitation or expansion.

Attempt to relocate slumdwellers are bullwarked by local politicians (vote bank politics) and socialist intellectuals (rehabilitation and socio-economic issues).

[aviana]

Really sad to see the picturesque landscape around the airport being transformed in to slums over the years. As can be seen from the picture below the airport did not have a fence.

[aviana]

image hosted on flickr
Really sad to see the picturesque landscape around the airport being transformed in to slums over the years. As can be seen from the picture in the picture above the airport did not have a fence.

[munda]

Originally Posted by aviana

image hosted on flickr
Really sad to see the picturesque landscape around the airport being transformed in to slums over the years. As can be seen from the picture in the picture above the airport did not have a fence.

Forget the airport, in the year 1950 the entire city of Mumbai was comparable to London and Paris.

[mooktada]

Forget the airport, in the year 1950 the entire city of Mumbai was comparable to London and Paris.

yeah .. everytime I see pictures of India cities in in 1930 and forties I say.. Why oh why did Gandhi, Nehru and the rest gang have to start their agitation so early. They could have waited until 1960s when most of city structure were complete making it harder Indian politicians to bring in slum politics.

[p2p4]

Mootkada, the real culprits of Indian urban cities were not Nehru / Gandhi.. but the rot began more so in the 70s. (Hint.. Indira Gandhi). My parents & grandparents also tell me that till the mid 60s, Mumbai/Bombay was much cleaner and well kept than what we see now. Growing up in Bombay since the 70s, I have seen how it has gone from unsatisfactory to HELL HOLE to this date.

Originally Posted by mooktada

yeah .. everytime I see pictures of India cities in in 1930 and forties I say.. Why oh why did Gandhi, Nehru and the rest gang have to start their agitation so early. They could have waited until 1960s when most of city structure were complete making it harder Indian politicians to bring in slum politics.

[yash777]

Originally Posted by aviana

......

Anyone know what hills are in the background?

[mooktada]

.but the rot began more so in the 70s. (Hint.. Indira Gandhi)..

She was one who began to kick foreign investors out too. That ugly old shrew single handedly put India back by 20 years.