The Experts Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the environment and forests ministry has pulled up City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) for not assessing the environmental impact of the proposed airport at Navi Mumbai properly.
However, EAC has admitted that there was a need for a second international airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The panel said that the approval for the proposed airport is possible only after Cidco – the nodal agency for a the new airport in Navi Mumbai – seeks approval from the Bombay High Court for cutting and relocating mangroves and submits fresh data on the water quality management. EAC is going to take up the issue at its meeting on November 9 and 10.
EAC has said that although the term forest had been mentioned, the mangroves are degrading between the two rivers and on the north-eastern flank of the site. The environment impact assessment study said that though the extent of stunted and degrading mangroves patches is large, there were healthy, tall and diverse mangrove forests in the narrow strips along the creeks and rivers.
EAC, which had visited the Navi Mumbai site on October 20-22, said the approval would be possible only after Cidco finalises the technical design of the airport, including the orientation of the runways in consultation with the civil aviation ministry, Airport Authority of India and Directorate General of Civil Aviation keeping in mind the safety regulations and security measures.
EAC’s suggestions come after Cidco presented five alternative designs for the proposed airport at Navi Mumbai. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh have indicated that the site for the proposed aiport will be cleared after the EAC recommendation.
A senior Cidco official, requesting anonymity, told Business Standard the committee felt that though the Gadhi River will remain outside the boundary of the proposed airport, the river could be dredged or widened to increase its carrying capacity.
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Cidco said the natural course of the Ulwe River has been retained as suggested by EAC earlier. He said Cidco will give a modified layout on the basis of EAC’s suggestion.
EAC has also expressed disappointment over lack of a detailed traffic management plan being prepared by Cidco and emphasised the need for one to take care of increased vehicle traffic.
The panel wanted Cidco to indicate measures to prevent encroachment. Besides, Cidco needs to specify measures to be taken to improve public transportation including dedicated road/mass rapid transport system corridors to access the airport. Mass transport facility, suburban/metro train in particular, may be created between the Santa Cruz and Panvel Airport, in addition to other links connecting various parts of Mumbai city.