Legal & Environmental issues in Navi Mumbai Airport Project

1.  Topic: Legal & Environmental issues in Navi Mumbai
Airport Project.
 Presented BY: Aayush,Annesh,Akshay,Karan & Rachit
 Class:U1
 Subject: Law

3.  Cost of the project is 4,700 crores.
 First Phase of the project.
 Bidding process of the airport project.
 Green signal from the Environmental Ministry.

4.  Reclamation of low lying areas.
 Damage to mangrove cultivation.
 Diversion of Gadhi & Ulwe river.
 The site has about 10 settlements with 4,000-5,000
families, totaling a population of 16,000.

5.  The proposed Navi Mumbai airport is well on track and the
first phase will be operational by 2013. CIDCO has almost
completed 75 per cent of the land acquisition and is
awaiting the final clearance from the Ministry of
Environment and Forest. The environmental issues are
likely to be resolved soon, as the ministry had issued a
notification earlier that allowed construction of greenfield
airports in the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ). The
environment ministry had reservations on the Navi
Mumbai airport project as it was considered a threat to the
large mangrove in the area.

6.  The traffic volume on the road network leading to the
airport site were obtained from secondary source and
projected using growth ate up to 2030-31. The
adequacy of the road network was tested between 2010
to 2030 with planned widening and projected traffic
volume and the carrying capacity. This exercise reveals
that the road network is adequate and will operate at
the level of service but up to 2025 and beyond that the
level of service will drop to C. The intersection analysis
reveals that the Kalamboli junction will need agrade
separation beyond 2030-31.

7.  Water Requirement.
 Power Supply Requirement.
 Sewage Treatment Plant.

8.  To assess the baseline environmental status of the study
area (an area covered within 10 kms. radius around the
airport site), a comprehensive primary and secondary data
collection programme was undertaken with respect to
hydro metrology, physiographic, drainage, geology, land &
soil quality, ambient water quality, air quality, metrology,
noise, ecology, traffic and transportation, forest, socio-
economic profile of people, land status and settlement,
land use, places of historical importance and coastal zone
regulation. The project location falls in Panvel Taluka of
Raigad District, whereas the study area covers the district
Thane and Panvel.

9.  Hydro metrology
The climate of the study area is tropical maritime with high relative humidity throughout
the year. Generally, hot & humid climate is experienced throughout the year. The
maximum temperature ranges between 28° C. to 32° C. and the minimum fluctuate
between 17° C. to 27° C. The relative humidity remains above 50% for more than 8
months. The study area experiences a very high rainfall ranging from 2072 mm to 2741
mm.
 Geology
The geological formation in the study area consisting of dark coloured volcanic lava
flows, basaltic in composition and is intruded by large number of dykes. The basaltic
composition is also known as “Deccan Traps” attain a thickness of nearly 760 m. in the
East of Study area, vertical, inclined, prismatic and columnar jointing is commonly found
in the hard and compact basalts. A large number of dykes are found in the range of width
2 to 4 mt. in Panvel area. Panvel Flexure is also reported in the project area. However,
many have doubted the very nature of this Panvel structure as a flexure.
.

10.  Water Environment.
 Noise Environment.
 Air Environment.

11.  Environment Management Plan.
 Budgets for Environment Management Plan.
 Disaster Management Plan.

12.  The environmental nod for the Navi Mumbai airport project came after a strict
scrutiny of the draft proposal, furnished by developer CIDCO. Its expert panel
did a detailed study of the environmental impact of the changed project.
 It suggested a string of directives to ensure minimal impact on Mumbai's
coastal ecosystem. The original plan submitted by CIDCO proposed diversion
of two rivers -- Gadhi and Ulwe -- to accommodate two runways.
 However, after concerns expressed by the environment ministry, CIDCO
decided to shorten the distance between the two runways from 1,835 meter to
1,500 meter. This will ensure that Gadhi is not diverted and there is negligible
impact on Ulwe.
 Another plan which caused grave concern was the proposed destruction of 161
hectare of mangrove vegetation to make way for facilities. CIDCO has pledged
to shift non-aeronautic facilities to ensure that at least 50 hectare of green
cover is saved. To add to the green cover, mangroves will be replanted in
Palghar and a biodiversity park will come up inside the new airport.