(a) whether the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Navi
Mumbai in Maharashtra has got ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from the Department of Forests;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor and the present status of the proposal?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) No, Sir. The Forest Department of Maharashtra has not issued
any ‘No objection certificate’ to the proposed International Airport
at Navi Mumbai.
(b) In view of reply to part (a) above, reply to part (b) does
not arise.
(c) As per information received from the Nodal Officer, Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980, Government of Maharashtra, the Project
Authority submitted a proposal to the Maharashtra Forest Department
to obtain prior approval of the Central Government under the Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land required for
construction of the Navi Mumbai Airport. The Forest Department of
Maharashtra after examination of the said proposal observed that
it was not complete in all respects. The Forest Department of
Maharashtra therefore requested the Project Authority to do
the necessary compliances.