After approvals to Navi Mumbai International Airport and Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant, the state has suddenly hit the international headlines. A welcome decision from congestion at Mumbai airport and acute power shortage in the state – point of view.
For both the projects, there is support and opposition, as it is in case of any such project. The government has finally had its way in both the projects but the policy makers seem to have ignored the long term effects of these projects. It is a fact that the state needs both the projects. But at what cost? As environmentalists say, both the projects will turn out to be death nails.
The city needs an airport that can carry 1 million passengers. The second airport at Navi Mumbai will meet the needs, as they say it. But the Prafull Patel and Co has completely ignored the possible environmental conditions by the time the airport is ready for actual take off and landing. Given the sea level rise and uninterrupted environmental degradation, there are all possibilities that the sea level will rise to the level of run way which will eventually gulp it. The experts feel that this will happen in next three decades and once it happens, the airport will be rendered useless. That means Rs 16,000 crore to be spent on the project will virtually go in water.
Another aspect of the airport is that the unavoidable effects on Matheran and Elephanta Caves. The flights landing and taking off from the airport will certainly have massive effect on these places. Matheran will lose its identity as hill station and Elephanta Caves face a threat to its very existence. Even if, we manage to save these places, what about the fact that the entire infrastructure would be rendered useless when it would really be needed by the country and state?
No comments:
Post a Comment