Crucial meet on Navi Mumbai airport today

City & Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), at its meeting with the Experts Appraisal Committee (EAC) scheduled tomorrow on the controversial airport proposal at Navi Mumbai, would argue that the diversion of the Gadhi and Ulwe rivers would improve flow conditions around the airport, leaving minimum chance for siltation. And, that the diversion was only a reorientation of the deep water course within the high tide line.

The EAC, which had met Cidco officials on August 20, will seek clarifications on the rivers, the use of non-aeronautical areas and how minimum damage could be done to the mangroves currently standing on 160 hectares at the proposed site. Tomorrow’s meeting is expected to be the last one before EAC prepares its report.

A Cidco official, who did not want to be named, told Business Standard: “Both rivers have negligible fresh water discharge in the non-monsoon period. Total cost of training and diversion of rivers is estimated at '207 crore. There is no change in flood levels along the Gadhi river.” Further, the official said 20 per cent of the airport zone area has been earmarked for open spaces and a green belt.

Landscaping schemes for the non-aeronautical area is envisaged in the development plan. Nearly Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for compensatory mangrove afforestation on 350 hectares in Dahanu and Rs 3 crore for landscaping and the green belt.

The official said Cidco would call upon EAC to visit the proposed site in Navi Mumbai before finalising its report. The official hoped EAC’s report would be ready by October.

Cidco would also clarify that there would be less impact on the Matheran and Karnala bird sanctuaries. EAC, at its earlier meeting, had noted the reservations due to the existence of the Matheran (18 km away) and Prabalgad (13 km away) hills on the east, in the line of the proposed runways, which may pose significant concerns for safety as well as for noise pollution to the habitats.

EAC had asked Cidco to examine the impact of the proposed airport on this.