The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests' Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) team is visiting the proposed Navi Mumbai international airport site in October.
On Wednesday, the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) made a presentation before the committee in New Delhi.
“The meeting was fruitful,” Tanaji Satre, Officiating Managing Director, CIDCO, told The Hindu on the phone. He said his team replied to all queries posed by the committee. “But they have some concerns. That is why they are going to visit the site,” on or after October 18.
The proposed airport has been in the eye of a storm since the Ministry refused to give the green signal for the project out of environmental concerns. The plan, which was then submitted by the CIDCO, would have led to massive destruction of mangroves, apart from diversion of two rivers and flattening of a hillock.
But even as the EAC pointed out the environmental hazards at that site, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel ruled out any alternative place for the project.
Changes in the plan
The EAC then recommended certain changes in the plan, especially in the location of “commercial, non-aeronautical space.” It also asked the CIDCO to conduct studies on noise levels and other matters.
Even now many of the environmental concerns remain.
Second opinion sought
The Ministry has also asked the Bombay Natural History Society to give a second opinion about the site. The findings of the study are awaited.
