Final decision on Navi Mumbai airport likely on Nov 7

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today indicated that the final decision on the much-delayed Navi Mumbai airport project may be taken on November 7.

"The final decision on the Navi Mumbai airport project is likely to be taken on November 7," Ramesh told PTI here.

This is for the first time since the project embroiled in green wrangle that the environment minister has categorically stated about the final decision on the proposed airport.

Ramesh also said he would be meeting Aviation Minister Praful Patel tomorrow to discuss observations of the team of Expert Appraisal Committee of his ministry which had visited the site on October 21-22.

"I will be meeting the minister (Praful Patel) tomorrow. They (project proponent City and Industrial Development Corporation) have come a long way and they can come more," Ramesh said.

The Civil Aviation Minister recently declared that the airport is set to get the environment clearance by October end.

The airport project was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2007 but has been stuck as the Ministry of Environment and Forest raised some objections such as the diversion of two rivers, unlikely survival of mangroves spread over 400 acres, and the blasting of a hill.

As desired by the environment ministry, the CIDCO has stated to changed the original plan to ensure that mangroves are not destroyed and rivers are not diverted.