Friday, November 24, 2017

CIDCO aims at 2019 start for Navi Mumbai airport

Mumbai: The first flight from the Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to take off in December 2019, which is when the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) expects Phase 1, which includes the terminal and runways, to be ready.

“While this is the target we have set for ourselves, even with delays the airport will be ready before the monsoon of 2020,” said Joint Managing Director Prajakta Lavangare, CIDCO.

The corporation, which is the nodal agency for the airport, is working on developing the land at the site. The work has been divided into two phases. The first involves creating a flat land 5.5 metres above sea level, for which the Ulwe hill will be cut down to 8 metres, and the earth from the hill would be used to level the rest of the area. The second phase involves raising the height of the land from 5.5 metres to 8 meters above sea level, which will protect the runway from flooding. Utility lines such as storm water drains and sewage would also be put in place by Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL).

“The long monsoon prevented us from starting work sooner, but we are confident of meeting the target. We are also seeking permission for three shifts in order to increase the pace of work,” said Ms. Lavangare.

One of the biggest concerns among local villagers is the fear that blasting a hill would affect their homes. CIDCO officials say they have adopted a controlled blasting technique to prevent damage and have appointed the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) as technical advisor. “We are ensuring that the vibrations are under 10mm/sec, which will be felt only within a radius of 300 metres,” said a scientist from CSIR-CIMFR. CIDCO officials say most of the villages lie outside this periphery.
24/11/17 Ajeet Mahale/The Hindu
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