'Nod for Navi Mumbai airport only after eco clearances'

Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday the proposed site for the international airport in Navi Mumbai suffers from three major environment problems — diversion of two rivers, survival of mangroves spread over 400 acres and blasting of a hill.

He accepted Mumbai needs a second airport, but made it clear that the decision needs to be considering all environment factors. He would take a call on clearing the present project in Navi Mumbai only after the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) submits its report. Incidentally, EAC is meeting on August 18 to discuss certain clarifications that have been sought on the relevant issues from state-run City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco).

Ramesh’s observation is crucial, especially when Union Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel made it clear that an alternate site would not be possible for the second airport. Ramesh recalled that the Airports Authority of India had in 1996 selected a site at Revas Mandva in Raigad district. However, after the state government’s advice that Navi Mumbai would be a better site, the option was dropped.

In addition, a group of MPs from the state have sought the Prime Minister’s intervention to ensure an early clearance for the Navi Mumbai airport. Ramesh said three MPs from Thane district met him two days ago and suggested that the new airport should be developed in Kalyan on 1,800 acres, which is currently in the possession of the defence ministry. Ramesh said he has forwarded the recommendation to the EAC.

“What will happen to Panvel in the wake of flooding of the two rivers? We know what happened to the Mithi river (after the devastating rains of July 26, 2005 in Mumbai). Mangroves are spread over 400 acres and some of the environmentalists told me they are of low quality. Besides, there is a big risk involved in the blasting of a hill which is 80 meters above sea level.”

Ramesh clarified that the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 did not allow for the building of an airport in Navi Mumbai. “What had been released on May 25, 2009 after the amendment to the CRZ, 1991 rules clearly says that an airport is made a permissible activity subject to certain measures,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Ramesh also said today the fuel oil spill after the collision of MSC Chitra and Khalijia has caused tangible damage to the environment and marine life.