The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has sought Maharashtra governmentÂ’s help to lift the reservation of a general park on the plot to be utilised for the development of Juhu airport in Mumbai. For this, changes are required in the Development Control Rule (DCR). After the recent approval by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for a Rs 2,000-crore development plan, the AAI approached the State government on June 25 to discuss three issues with JK Banthia, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra.
AAI requested the State government to amend clause 37(a) of MRTP Act 1960 for changes in the DCR. It also proposed two underpasses to facilitate vehicular movement, which is likely to be affected by the runway expansion. The Authority clarified that the part of the runway, which is expected to be extended by 800 metre in the sea, would not clash with the proposed coastal road. The existing runway is 1,143 metre long.
Development of the airport would help ease traffic congestion at the Mumbai airport to some extent as smaller airplanes could be operated from Juhu, says an official concerned. The project is expected to be completed in 20 months after construction starts.
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