Mumbai:
The clearance to Navi Mumbai airport had been dragging on for long but it has finally got the green signal and work will start soon on this much-awaited second airport in Mumbai.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Monday said that the Navi Mumabai airport is not only important for Mumbai and Maharashtra state but also for the country. (
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Why it's good for the city:- Mumbai needs to expand its capacity to handle international air traffic
- Mumbai airport's capacity for 40 million passengers per year could be exhausted by 2013
- Mumbai airport handles around 30 take offs and landings per hour
- Navi Mumbai airport will create capacity of 60 million passengers per year
Environmentalists unhappy with the clearance:
- Not convinced that the other sites examined were not feasible
- Low flying aircraft could impact the Karnala bird sanctuary, elephanta caves and Matheran Hill station
- Promises on mangrove replanting have rarely been honoured
- Ulwe river diversion will impact mangroves as well