[ By Bobby Anthony ]The Supreme Court has lifted suspension of the environment clearance to the Mopa International Airport, around 25 km from Panaji, in North Goa, allowing resumption of construction.“The Supreme Court has lifted suspension on the environmental clearance. There have been no additional conditions. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has...
The Supreme Court has lifted suspension of the environment clearance to the Mopa International Airport, around 25 km from Panaji, in North Goa, allowing resumption of construction.
“The Supreme Court has lifted suspension on the environmental clearance. There have been no additional conditions. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has been appointed to ensure that the conditions by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Union Environment and Forests Ministry and others are adhered to,” Director of Goa Civil Aviation Department Suresh Shanbogue stated.
The Supreme Court heard a petition filed by Goa-based environmentalists who had questioned the felling of several thousand trees for the international airport at Mopa plateau.
An year ago, the Supreme Court had asked promoters of the airport, which is a joint venture between GMR and the Goa government, to maintain status quo vis-a-vis construction of airport due to environment concerns listed in the petition.
“Work will recommence immediately. It may take some time to get the speed because we have to move our machinery there again. When the work was stopped, there were around 2,000 people on the site. Within three weeks the work will gather speed,” Shanbogue stated.
In its first phase, the Mopa International Airport is expected to cater to 4.5 million passengers. By the end of fourth phase, its capacity is expected to be 13 million passengers.