Ball to be set rolling for Navi Mumbai airport in 5 months: Devendra Fadnavis

Informing that his Cabinet has given its nod for the request for proposal (RFP) for the proposed new international airport at Navi Mumbai, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that since the period for the tender process is five months, the letter of intent and work order would be given after five months.

Also, after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's hard talk in Kolhapur last week, Fadnavis decided to go soft on the Sena in the Assembly on Monday by giving a clean chit to the Sena-run Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the tablet purchase case. The CM also did not utter a single word regarding allegations of corruption in the BMC in securing permissions for buildings and road construction projects.

Speaking in the Assembly, the chief minister also revealed that his government has prepared an integrated development plan for Elephanta caves near Mumbai so that an additional jetty service, overnight staying facilities and a cable car would be possible at the heritage site.

Speaking about the proposed international airport in Navi Mumbai, Fadnavis said that it would be fully functional by December 2019. He also said that since the maximum capacity of one crore passengers would be achieved in a phased manner, the aiport can even be operational before December 2019, which is the deadline for the project.

The CM said that the project, which is estimated to cost Rs16,000 crore, would involve land acquisition mainly through consent awards.

When it comes to the issue of going soft on the Sena, Fadnavis — while replying to a discussion on Mumbai and Konkan issues, which was held over almost one week — did not criticise the BJP's alliance partner for obvious reasons. At the same time, eyeing a foothold in Konkan, which is a Sena bastion, he announced many sops for the development of the region, including announcing the setting up of a separate Konkan Tourism Development Corporation.

In his 81-minute speech, devoted mostly to Konkan, the CM chose against talking about corruption in Mumbai. Instead, he kept the issues of corruption reserved, saying he would give information on these issues at an appropriate time. The BMC will be heading for polls in February 2017.

With regard to his announcements about Elephanta, Fadnavis pointed out that at present, one can reach the caves only via the Gateway of India. He said that under the integrated development plan for the heritage site, the government aims to provide additional jetty services so that people can reach the place from alternative places as well.

He also added that the development plan includes providing night-stay facilities for tourists and building an employment hut, which would allow local artisans to display their products.