Navi Mumbai airport gets conditional environmental clearance

After a year-long tussle between Civil Aviation and Environment Ministries, the Navi Mumbai airport finally got the green signal on Monday. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh announced the environmental clearance for the Navi Mumbai airport in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said, the clearance was given on the condition that 678 hectares of mangroves will be developed in and around the project site. Mr Ramesh said that River Gadhi will not be diverted. Besides there are 30 other riders which have to be implemented to minimise environmental impact.
With the environment clearance in place, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Civil Aviation Minister said that 3,000 families will have to be relocated and right steps need to be taken to rehabilitate them. Mr Chavan said, after the project is completed, it would give direct employment to over one lakh people.