The ongoing controversy over the new international airport in Navi Mumbai has taken a new twist as the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) plans to visit the proposed project site and hold interaction with the villagers, representatives of the government and the state-run City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco).
EAC, which held meeting with Cidco on August 20, is expected to visit in the second or third week of September. EAC is likely to submit its report by end of September.
Cidco official, who made a fresh argument in favour of the proposed airport told Business Standard: “EAC has gone through our presentation on how no alternative site to Navi Mumbai is available for the new airport. During the discussion, committee members expressed their desire to visit the site before making its recommendations. Committee members will visit the site and then prepare its report.”
EAC’s visit is crucial when Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel are pitted against each other on the issue of the new airport. Jairam said the environment clearance for Navi Mumbai site would be done only after all environment consideration while Praful has argued that there was no alternative to the site.
Cidco official said EAC was told that the Navi Mumbai site meets all the necessary conditions required for the development of airport. “The area is 18 sq km. Besides, there is a radius of flat land of 15 km and gliding scope of 3 degree. The other sites such as Kalyan, Rewas Mandva, Wada, Bhiwandi, Palghar, Kinawali-Shahapur do not meet this criteria and thus cannot be considered for the new airport,” the official said.
The official said that Cidco, which is a nodal agency for the proposed new airport, has clarified its stand on environmental issues with regard to diversion and training of Gadhi and Ulwe rivers, replantation of mangroves on 350 hectares in Dahanu taluka or Thane district and blasting of hill 80 meters above sea level.
“Diversion of rivers was essential. Further, Cidco has proposed replantation of mangroves, which are currently placed on 160 hectares, on an alternative site. These mangroves are stunted one as there has not been substantial growth since last many years,” the official noted.