Navi Mumbai Airport’s Regulatory Readiness in Question
The Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) has yet to apply for a crucial license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), sparking concerns about the airport’s regulatory preparedness. An RTI response has revealed that despite trial flights being conducted and the airport set to begin operations in less than three months, NMIAL has not completed the necessary step to secure approval from the aviation authority.
The matter came to light after environmental watchdog NatConnect Foundation filed an RTI query with the DGCA regarding bird strike risk mitigation measures at the airport. In response, DGCA’s Deputy Director and Chief Public Information Officer, Dhusar Kumar Mondal, stated that no information was available as the licensing application had yet to be submitted. B N Kumar, Director of NatConnect Foundation, expressed his astonishment over the delay, particularly given the airport’s imminent opening. He raised concerns about whether the necessary committees had been formed to assess bird flight patterns and monitor the presence of avian species in the area, particularly in relation to the local wetlands which are key habitats for flamingos and other birds.
Environmental activists have voiced their apprehensions over the impact of airport development on local ecosystems. While NMIAL has assured that biodiversity around the airport will be protected, critics point to CIDCO’s failure to maintain critical wetlands, including the DPS Flamingo Lake, which has long been home to various bird species. Kumar pointed out that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and compliance submissions to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) suggest that local wetlands will be preserved according to the Bombay Natural History Society’s (BNHS) recommendations.
Despite these assurances, environmentalists remain sceptical, urging that both environmental and aviation safety commitments be honoured, as NMIAL’s regulatory oversight appears to fall behind schedule. The delay in applying for the DGCA license could signal further regulatory hurdles as the airport approaches its scheduled opening.
