Going by PAPs' demand, it's more feasible to build an airport in the sea

Even as the officials from City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) are trying to appease the project affected persons (PAPs) to give their land for the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) project, sources from the state government are of the view that it will be easier to construct the airport on sea than on land.“Since the state government and Cidco are facing a lot of difficulties in procuring land for the ambitious project, it will be viable for them to consider constructing the international airport on the sea on the lines of the one constructed in Osaka, Japan. It will be economically feasible since the state government will not have to go through the process of acquiring land, thereby reducing the cost of the project considerably,” a senior state government official said, not wishing to be named.The official added that a major hurdle in acquiring land for the NMIA project is the adamant stand of the PAPs whose demands include 35% of developed plot and monetary compensation. “If the state government agrees to PAPs’ demands, the cost of NMIA project will increase considerably, thereby making it economically unviable, following which Navi Mumbaikars will lose the opportunity of having a huge infrastructure such as this in their surrounding. In this case, the state government should think of constructing the airport on the sea, which will serve purpose of the people as well as the authorities,” the official concluded.The chief minister, during his recent visit to the city, had urged the PAPs to accept the offer made by the state government so as to resolve the land acquisition issue. He added that he will be discussing the issue in detail with the prime minister on November 13, so that a solution is arrived at on the impasse.While PAPs are optimistic about a positive outcome of the meeting between the prime minister and chief minister, they are sure of not budging from their stand of not accepting anything less than 35% of developed plot before giving their land for the mega project.WILL THE AIRPORT PLAN TAKE OFF?A major hurdle in acquiring land for the NMIA project is the adamant stand of the PAPs whose demands include 35% of developed plot and monetary compensation. They are sure of not budging from their stand of not accepting anything less than their demand before giving their land for the mega project.The chief minister had urged the PAPs to accept the offer made by the state government so as to resolve the land acquisition issue. He is expected to discuss the issue in detail with the prime minister on November 13, to arrive at  a solution on the impasse.