Give us this land, there isn’t any other: CM | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Give us this land, there isn’t any other: CM

Hindustan Times | By, Mumbai
Mar 08, 2008 02:49 AM IST

A week after Central environment clearance was rejected for Mumbai’s second airport, the state govt launches a desperate effort to make it a reality, reports Shailesh Gaikwad.

A week after Central environment clearance was rejected for Mumbai’s second airport, the state government has launched a desperate effort to somehow make it a reality.

HT Image
HT Image

“We are filing an appeal and I will personally take this up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh told Hindustan Times on Friday. “The second airport is vital for Mumbai.”

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Hindustan Times had on Friday reported how the clearance was rejected because the airport would involve reclamation of low-lying areas in an ecologically fragile zone, as well as destruction of several hectares of mangroves.

The Central Ministry of Environment had conveyed its decision to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the airport’s promoters, through a letter written by Dr A. Senthil Vel, additional director in the ministry.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, who is keen on the airport, said his ministry would also pursue the matter. “Where else can you build an airport in Mumbai?” said an irked Patel.

He pointed out that the National Coastal Zone Management Authority, which regulates activities in ecologically sensitive coastal areas, had okayed the project.

Mumbai airport is already under tremendous pressure and is expected to handle passengers at the rate of 25 million a year by this month’s end.

That figure is likely to go up to 91 million by 2030-31, while its capacity would only increase to 40 million.

The new airport at Navi Mumbai was the solution to this problem.

Land is not available within the city, which is why the state chose the 1,140-hectare site at Panvel, 35 km away from the city.

However, about a quarter of the land has patches of mangroves and water bodies, making it an ecologically sensitive zone.

While the National Coastal Zone Management Authority recommended that the law be amended to allow the airport, the ministry rejected it, asking CIDCO to look for another site.

CIDCO Managing Director GS Gill told Hindustan Times on Thursday that this would mean “a delay of a few months for construction of the airport”.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Shailesh Gaikwad is political editor and heads the political bureau in Hindustan Times' Mumbai edition.In his career of over 20 years, he has covered Maharashtra politics, state government and urban governance issues.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On