Last Residents Vacate Air India Historic Kalina Housing Colonies in Mumbai
The last remaining residents have begun vacating Air India's historic residential colonies in Kalina, Mumbai, bringing an end to a 70-year-old housing community. The transition marks the final departure of the airline’s real-estate presence from the city where it was originally founded.
The extensive residential complex, which spans 184 acres in the Kalina neighborhood, is passing into history as ownership of the land and buildings shifts. The properties have officially moved from the government-owned AI Asset Holdings Limited (AIAHL) to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL).
In total, the four distinct colonies comprise 1,683 flats distributed across 106 buildings. The history of the complex dates back to 1955, when the first colony was constructed. As Air India expanded during the second half of the 20th century, the residential network grew to meet the needs of its workforce. Three additional colonies were constructed by the 1980s, creating a vast community that housed generations of airline employees and their families.
With the relocation of the final families, the physical structures now show significant signs of age. Recent observations of the colonies revealed damaged stairwells, exposed building structures, and scattered debris. However, the surrounding neighborhood still retains its natural character, remaining filled with greenery and fruit-bearing trees.
The vacancy of these quarters represents a major symbolic shift for the aviation brand in Maharashtra. Although the airline itself has been privatized, related entities such as AIAHL, Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), and Air India Airport Services Limited (AIASL) remain under government ownership. For decades, the public identified these Kalina housing colonies directly with the Air India brand.
While the privatized airline continues to operate flights to and from Mumbai, the complete vacation of the Kalina colonies means Air India no longer maintains a residential home in the city.
