The expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the environment ministry on Wednesday signalled its clearance for the Navi Mumbai airport. The panel has expressed satisfaction over the revised proposal submitted by its developer City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and is expected to recommend the site for environment minister Jairam Ramesh?s approval.
?No more clarifications are needed from CIDCO. We will give the committee?s recommendations on the Navi Mumbai airport to the ministry within next 2-3 days,? EAC head Naresh Dayal said.
The development of second airport in Mumbai has been delayed because of concerns raised by environment ministry as the project?s master plan proposed to divert two rivers besides blasting of an hill. The Cabinet had approved the project in 2007 but it got stuck with the environment ministry. The airport is proposed to be developed on public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
The environment and civil aviation ministries had locked horn over the proposed site but the two reached a compromise formula last month. The proposed airport is expected to significantly ease air traffic at the existing airport.
As per the revised plan CIDCO has agreed to shift the location of non-aeronautical facilities such as hotel and shopping areas to minimise the impact on natural resources. Softening its stand the environment ministry has also agreed to the proposed site for construction of new airport. The revised plan has provided for reduction between two runways from 1,835 metres to 1,500 metres.
?All the issues have been complied with. Everything has been positive. Now the matter is with EAC.? CIDCO joint managing director Tanaji Satre said.