According to a notification issued by the Urban Development Department, the government has agreed to most of the demands made by the residents.
In order to speed up the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Maharashtra government has decided to set up a grievances redressal cell to resolve the issues faced by the local residents.
According to a notification issued by the Urban Development Department, the government has agreed to most of the demands made by the residents. "There are still some issues that need to be discussed so that the proposed Navi Mumbai Airport development work can be sped up. The grievances redressal cell will be set up under the principal secretary," the notification read.
"We had aimed to complete the airport work by 2019. But, we are facing a lot of issues to acquire the land from the local villagers and farmers. We have agreed to all their demands. However, they are demanding more things that cannot be easily granted. This protest is delaying the development of the proposed airport resulting in an escalation of the cost of the project," said urban development officials.
Congress leader, Mahendra Gharat and local activist said that the nodal agency of the proposed airport itself is responsible for the delay. "They earlier promised many things and now they are turning their back. They had promised to local villagers Rs 1,500 per sq ft for the construction of their new houses at different locations. Now, CIDCO is offering only Rs 1,000 per sq ft. Besides, even after 450 hearings, no decisions were taken. Unless and until the project affected people's (PAP) demands are fulfilled, there is no point for them to vacate the places," Gharat said.
He said that CIDCO has also promised to develop the schools, playground, and crematorium for the affected people in the new area. "If there is no school, how will the people relocate themselves. The government should first develop the infrastructure and then only ask the people to vacate the premises," Gharat added.
Interestingly, the construction cost of Phase-I of the Navi Mumbai Airport is expected to rise by nearly 50 per cent ie to Rs 13,562 crore from the earlier cost of Rs 9,600 crore. "This proposed airport on 1,600 hectares of greenfield land is likely to handle the 60 million passengers per annum (MPPA), with the first phase capacity pegged at 10 million passengers per annum. Due to this, the development work of this proposed work will be delayed at least a couple of years," said a CIDCO official, who is a part of this development.
BLAME GAME
Congress leader, Mahendra Gharat and local activist said that the nodal agency of the proposed airport itself is responsible for the delay
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