New Delhi, Sept. 24 -- Elections and announcements go hand in hand in India. Last year, leading up to the general elections in the country, there were repeated assertions that Navi Mumbai and Jewar would get new airports by the end of 2024.

After the elections, the date slipped into 2025 and continued to slip. As we enter the second half of 2025, the airports are yet to see the start of operations. As the new date of September 30 emerges for the possible inauguration of operations, the official Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) states that the airport is closed for operations until the wee hours of October 1.

Inaugurations and the start of operations also don't go hand in hand, and a date for the start of operations remains elusive, nearly...