2nd Mumbai, Pune airports in limbo

The much-talked about second airports for Mumbai and Pune are likely to remain distant dreams for some more time as the plans are yet to get off the ground.

It is expected that the passenger traffic at Mumbai's existing airport will double from the present 2.1 million to 4.2 million by 2010 and further rise to 13.7 million by 2013, because of the proposed Reliance special economic zone (SEZ) in Navi Mumbai.

The Mahindra SEZ at Lonavla, the third and fourth phase of software park at Hinjewadi near Pune will put pressure on Pune's airport infrastructure.

In addition, the number of industrial and infrastructure projects coming up in the Mumbai, Pune and Nashik regions will also put additional pressure on both the airports.

Again, the Pune airport is part of the Lohegaon base of the Indian Air Force, it leaves very little margin for expanding the civilian operations there. As a result, the increasing air traffic will put further pressure on the Mumbai airport.

The Chakan airport project of the MIDC has run into trouble because of the changed norms by the civil aviation ministry for greenfield airports. These norms make it mandatory to have two runways, whereas MIDC's proposal includes only one runway, said a senior MIDC official.

"We are now in the process of planning afresh for the airport with two runways and it it will be sent to the defence ministry for clearance as Lohegaon airbase is too close to the proposed airport at Chakan. Once the defence ministry gives a no objection certificate, the report will be sent to the civil aviation ministry for final approval," the official said.

It was estimated that the Chakan airport will require around 750 hectares of land, but with the additional runway, MIDC might have to acquire additional 200 hectares.

According to initial estimates, the cost of this greenfield airport has been pegged at Rs 550 crore. On the Mumbai airport, a senior Cidco official said, "A simulation study on safe distance between the air corridors of the existing airport and the proposed airport is currently being conducted by the International Council of Civil Aviation (ICCA). Their report is expected in two months. After that we will send the proposal to the civil aviation ministry."

According to original plans, the proposed airport at Navi Mumbai would be spread over 2,400 hectares to be completed by 2007-08 at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore.