Topic: Legal & Environmental issues in Navi Mumbai Airport Project.

Presented BY: Aayush,Annesh,Akshay,Karan & Rachit

Class:U1Subject: Law

IIPM

Introduction

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.

Cost of Construction

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.

Objections raised by the Union Ministry

 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.

First phase will be ready by 2013

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.

Traffic & Transportation

Water Requirement.Power Supply Requirement.Sewage Treatment Plant.

General Requirements

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.

Description Of Environment.

 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.

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Types of study

Water Environment.Noise Environment.Air Environment.

Types of Environment

Environment Management Plan.Budgets for Environment Management Plan.Disaster Management Plan.

Environment Impact & Mitigation Measures

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.

Modifications in original proposal