Mumbai: The development of the Navi Mumbai airport got a much-needed boost on Wednesday after the state cabinet decided to give 250 hectares of land to create forest and mangrove belts to compensate for the acquisition of mangroves for the construction of the airport. These 250 hectares are spread over parts of Raigad district.
Now that state approval has been given for the land, the Union forest ministry's approval is awaited. A proposal has been forwarded to the ministry for its consent.
Forest minister Patangrao Kadam said, "This is a landmark decision. Land and NOC for the second airport has been granted by the state."
In July, the Centre had assured CM Prithviraj Chavan that it would expedite the sanctions process for the airport. The Centre in 2007 had given in-principle approval for the Navi Mumbai airport.
08/11/12 Sanjeev Shivadekar/Times of India
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Now that state approval has been given for the land, the Union forest ministry's approval is awaited. A proposal has been forwarded to the ministry for its consent.
Forest minister Patangrao Kadam said, "This is a landmark decision. Land and NOC for the second airport has been granted by the state."
In July, the Centre had assured CM Prithviraj Chavan that it would expedite the sanctions process for the airport. The Centre in 2007 had given in-principle approval for the Navi Mumbai airport.
08/11/12 Sanjeev Shivadekar/Times of India
