Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan has openly supported the proposed airport in Navi Mumbai. The proposal is pending for approval with the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).
“Mumbai needs another airport. Looking at the time taken for departure and arrival due to a rise in traffic, the proposed airport is necessary. This however, can be done by striking a balance between protecting the ecology while developing such projects like the airport,” Sankaranarayanan told Business Standard.
“On several occasions an aircraft is forced to circle around due to congestion at the airport. I, as a citizen of India, strongly support the requirement of another airport in Mumbai,” said the Governor, on the sidelines of a book release ceremony at the Raj Bhavan.
He called upon the civil aviation ministry to rigorously pursue its plans for the second airport in Navi Mumbai. Sankaranarayanan also spoke to civil aviation minister Praful Patel, who was present on the occasion, expressing his desire to meet him again on the airport issue.
Sankaranarayanan’s move is crucial especially after Patel made it clear that there is no alternate site available for the proposed airport.
Patel said delays in clearing the project would only adversely affect the city as the Mumbai airport is nearing saturation. “If work begins now, it would take at least five years to complete the airport. Delays in clearance will further push it back.”
Patel, who was buoyed by the Maharashtra Governor’s strong support for the proposed airport, said it would be impossible to find another 3,000 to 4,000 acre of land close to Mumbai. He said the construction of greenfield airports in Coastal Regulation Zones had already been approved in February 2009. The minister made it clear that all efforts would be made to protect the environment.
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According to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study carried out by IIT, Mumbai, the total area earmarked for the airport is 2,054 hectare.
The Governor's words have also boosted the spirits of the state government and the City and Industrial Development Corporation — the nodal agency for the airport project.