Mumbai:
After much controversy over the construction of Navi Mumbai airport, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has said that the Environment Ministry will clear the new airport by the end of October.
Patel said " compromises can be made in the design and there is no hesitation in moving non-aeronautical assets."
The Navi Mumbai airport has been a bone of contention for both the Aviation Ministry and the Environmentalists.
The Navi Mumbai airport is scheduled to begin operations in 2013 at Panvel, about 20 kilometres away from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. It's expected to handle an additional 60 million passengers every year.
However, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had expressed concerns over the proposed blueprint's impact on 400 acres of forests and mangroves which protect the Mumbai coastline. Two rivers would also need to be diverted.
Patel, however also added that an expert committee meet would take place on September 22. More details are expected to emerge after the environmental experts meet.