1st phase of Navi Mumbai airport by 2013: says Praful

Mumbai Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel is hoping that the first phase of the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport would be thrown open to public by 2013. He said he would meet Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to discuss the project next week.
Patel was speaking to reporters on Monday after launching an educational programme at Lavasa near Pune.
He said, “The Navi Mumbai Airport is coming up and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO) has completed 70 per cent of the land acquisition. We are waiting for final approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. I do not see any problem in getting it.”
“The project has already been delayed by three years and any further delay is unimaginable now. Therefore, I am going to hold a meeting with the Chief Minister next week. I hope the first phase becomes operational by 2013. But we can use 2010 for at least initiating the tender procedure,” he said.
The minister added, “Till 2007, Mumbai airport was the busiest in India. Now it has been surpassed by Delhi airport, by way of better facilities and more capacity.
12/01/10 Express India

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Categories: Airports Jan 2010, New Jan 2010