'Nod for Navi Mumbai airport only after eco clearances'

Mumbai: Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday the proposed site for the international airport in Navi Mumbai suffers from three major environment problems — diversion of two rivers, survival of mangroves spread over 400 acres and blasting of a hill.
He accepted Mumbai needs a second airport, but made it clear that the decision needs to be considering all environment factors. He would take a call on clearing the present project in Navi Mumbai only after the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) submits its report. Incidentally, EAC is meeting on August 18 to discuss certain clarifications that have been sought on the relevant issues from state-run City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco).
Ramesh’s observation is crucial, especially when Union Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel made it clear that an alternate site would not be possible for the second airport. Ramesh recalled that the Airports Authority of India had in 1996 selected a site at Revas Mandva in Raigad district. However, after the state government’s advice that Navi Mumbai would be a better site, the option was dropped.
In addition, a group of MPs from the state have sought the Prime Minister’s intervention to ensure an early clearance for the Navi Mumbai airport.
15/08/10 Business Standard

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: airports aug 2010, New Aug 2010