High Court Stays Work On Mangalore Airport Project

The Karnataka High Court has put a stay on the construction of the international airport at Mangalore.

In a public interest writ petition, an environmental support group had challenged the move of the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to begin work on the project.

After hearing the preliminary pleas of the petitioners, the division bench, consisting of justice Ashok Bhan and justice Mohammed Anwar, ordered the issuance of notices to the respondents. The bench also passed an interim order staying all proceedings pertaining to the project until further orders.

Mangalore has a small airport at Bajpe. The civil aviation ministry is considering a proposal to set up an airport to cater to the growing international traffic, particularly bound for the Gulf.

 

According to the petitioners, the location identified by the DGCA was unsafe. They claim that 200 acres of land was on a very high range with an allround fall of 100 meters.

The petitioners pleaded to direct the DGCA to go by the law and conduct the mandatory public hearing and assess the environmental and social impact.

The petitioners state that the airport project would displace 208 families and pose a threat to several neighbouring areas.

Apart from this, several ancient religious monuments will also have to be relocated.

The petitioner also allege that basic requirements like techno-economic feasibility report were not adhered to before acquiring the land and commencing other related works.