The wait for the Navi Mumbai international airport is getting longer. The state-run City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), nodal agency for the project, is yet to get forest clearance and approval of the Bombay High Court.
Though the project had received environment clearance on November 22, 2010, the acquisition of 475 hectares of private land continues to be a major hurdle, as Cidco and the villagers, who are now demanding a compensation of Rs 20 crore per acre, are yet to arrive at a consensus. Of the 2,042 hectares required for the project, nearly 1,400 hectares (68 per cent) was in Cidco's possession, 150 hectares (eight per cent) belongs to the government and various departments, and 485 hectares (24 per cent) is private land that needs to be acquired.
Cidco's official website, however, continues to show that the first phase of the airport that will handle 10 million passengers will be operational in 2012. In contrast, Cidco, which is yet to issue a request for qualification (RFQ), actually hopes the first phase will be commissioned in 2015 with an investment of Rs 9,150 crore. The total project cost has been pegged at Rs 14,573 crore.
A Cidco official, who does not want to be identified, told Business Standard, "The project has so far received approvals of the ministries of civil aviation, environment and forest, defence and the Maharashtra government.”
The forest clearance and the Bombay High Court’s nod are crucial for the project to take off." Besides, power transmission lines passing through the site need re-routing for safe operation of aircraft.
Moreover, the rehabilitation of 5,000 families from 10 settlements of seven villages will be a major task. Talks are on for a rehabilitation and resettlement policy with the stakeholders. Acquisition of private land is also turning out to be a major hurdle.
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The official said according to the clearance granted by ministry of environment and forests, Cidco has to comply with 66 conditions, of which 53 are during the construction phase.
"These conditions include development of a mangrove park in Vaghivali island, amendment of the land use plan around the airport, design of Ulwe recourse channel and measures to avoid flooding, preparation of the detailed traffic plan, formulation of a risk assessment and disaster management plan and environment monitoring by a high-level advisory and monitoring committee," the official said.