Cidco to press for environment nod for Navi Mumbai airport

All set to defend its position before the expert appraisal committee.

The state-run City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) will make a fresh plea for an environment clearance and an approval of the coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) for the proposed airport at Navi Mumbai during a meeting on August 20.

This in spite of Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh’s opposition to the proposed site for the new airport, citing environment issues.

Cidco is all set to defend its position before the expert appraisal committee (EAC) during the meet. It would argue in favour of replantation of mangroves spread over 161.50 hectare in Dahanu in Thane district, and the diversion of Gadhi and Ulwe rivers.

“Cidco’s argument for environment and CRZ clearance for the proposed airport in Navi Mumbai will be based on reports from its technical advisors that include IIT Mumbai, University of Mumbai, Gujarat Ecological Council and Central Water Power Research Station,” officials of the state government and Cidco told Business Standard.

Sources said that the consultants have noted that the mangroves were of environmentally low quality and their growth has been stunted. The removal of these mangroves would not cause major damage to the environment.

The state government has also identified 350 hectare at Dhanu Taluka in Thane district where it would plant mangroves. It has also evolved a plan to manage the mangroves in an around the proposed airport site and at Dahanu.

“The proposed training of the Gadhi river and diversion of Ulwe river is essential for making the land available for the airport zone and minor changes would be required in the approved coastal zone management plan of Navi Mumbai. The Central Water Power Research Station in Pune has said in its report that this was possible,” the officials said.

“The training of Gadhi river and diversion of Ulwe river for the development of the airport is essential. It is cost effective, less environmentally damaging, hydraulically efficient and easy for construction, maintenance and operations,” the official added.