Navi Mumbai airport yet to get forest clearance and HC nod

Mumbai: The wait for the Navi Mumbai international airport is getting longer. The state-run City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), nodal agency for the project, is yet to get forest clearance and approval of the Bombay High Court.
Though the project had received environment clearance on November 22, 2010, the acquisition of 475 hectares of private land continues to be a major hurdle, as Cidco and the villagers, who are now demanding a compensation of Rs 20 crore per acre, are yet to arrive at a consensus. Of the 2,042 hectares required for the project, nearly 1,400 hectares (68 per cent) was in Cidco's possession, 150 hectares (eight per cent) belongs to the government and various departments, and 485 hectares (24 per cent) is private land that needs to be acquired.
Cidco's official website, however, continues to show that the first phase of the airport that will handle 10 million passengers will be operational in 2012. In contrast, Cidco, which is yet to issue a request for qualification (RFQ), actually hopes the first phase will be commissioned in 2015 with an investment of Rs 9,150 crore. The total project cost has been pegged at Rs 14,573 crore.
18/01/12 Sanjay Jog & Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard

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Categories: airports Jan 2012, New Jan 2012