The proposed Navi Mumbai international airport cleared another hurdle when the Union environment ministry’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) gave its nod to the construction of two roads and two intersections leading to the project site. The EAC nod for such offsite infrastructure facilities means that all environmental clearances required for construction in and around the airport have now been obtained. The EAC has already approved the airport’s master plan.
Cidco had sought approval for a road connecting the airport to the national highway and another one linking the airport to Khandeshwar station. Approval was also sought for two clover leaf intersections planned on the western and eastern sides of the airport. About 80% of the proposed roads falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). With the greenfield project granted a special status in the new CRZ notification, the EAC has permitted reclamation of a portion of CRZ for the road work. Sources,however,said the committee has made it clear that mangrove-laced portion (about 20%) will not be reclaimed. It has permitted construction on stiltsover mangrove areas. Following the nod, hopes of initiation of civil work at the site before the year-end have received a boost.
In another development, Cidco opened tenders for development works in the proposed rehabilitation area, which had already been identified. It has also appointed Florida-based firm Lewis Environmental Services for a plan to replant about 370 hectares of mangroves surrounding the airport site. Besides, the plan for shifting high-tension cables has also been readied.
The state has initiated the process of appointing a concessionaire for the airport work by preparing the request for quotation (RFQ) document, which has been placed before the Centre’s steering committee. Meanwhile, the Union cabinet is expected to soon take a call on whether the state can be appointed as a nodal agency instead of the civil aviation ministry. Once the RFQ document is accepted, a further bid process could be completed and civil work initiated in four months, officials said.
Cidco had sought approval for a road connecting the airport to the national highway and another one linking the airport to Khandeshwar station. Approval was also sought for two clover leaf intersections planned on the western and eastern sides of the airport. About 80% of the proposed roads falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). With the greenfield project granted a special status in the new CRZ notification, the EAC has permitted reclamation of a portion of CRZ for the road work. Sources,however,said the committee has made it clear that mangrove-laced portion (about 20%) will not be reclaimed. It has permitted construction on stiltsover mangrove areas. Following the nod, hopes of initiation of civil work at the site before the year-end have received a boost.
In another development, Cidco opened tenders for development works in the proposed rehabilitation area, which had already been identified. It has also appointed Florida-based firm Lewis Environmental Services for a plan to replant about 370 hectares of mangroves surrounding the airport site. Besides, the plan for shifting high-tension cables has also been readied.
The state has initiated the process of appointing a concessionaire for the airport work by preparing the request for quotation (RFQ) document, which has been placed before the Centre’s steering committee. Meanwhile, the Union cabinet is expected to soon take a call on whether the state can be appointed as a nodal agency instead of the civil aviation ministry. Once the RFQ document is accepted, a further bid process could be completed and civil work initiated in four months, officials said.
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