THANE, March 28: Chief Minister Manohar Joshi today conducted an aerial survey of the proposed airport land at Kopar, near Panvel and later told newsmen that the 500 hectare land was best for an international airport.Joshi was speaking to newsmen at Vashi after inaugurating the Vashi branch of the Mahatma Phule co-operative credit society.
Minister-in-charge for Thane district Ganesh Naik and Minister of State for Urban Development Ravindra Mane were also present.
Replying to questions, he enumerated the reasons for identifying the land as best suited for the airport. In the first place, 425 hectares were already with the government and only 75 hectares were to be acquired. Secondly, this land will face less resistance from the locals.
The chief minister said that the construction of the airport will help further development of the region on all fronts.
Asked if the Revas Mandva location for the airport had been given up, he said that no decision has been taken in this regard as yet.
When queriedabout the `Wadhvan' port in Thane district, Joshi said that his government's stand in this regard was very clear and it was in favour of it.
When it was brought to his notice that the locals, including the Shiv Sainiks, were opposed to the port, the chief minister said his government would take the locals into confidence and there will be total transparency in this regard.
The million-dollar port will surely come up at Wadhvan, Joshi stressed and asked Ganesh Naik to visit the place and resolve the local people's problems.
In reply to a question about the CIDCO's problems, the chief minister said he had suggested the corporation to sell off the vacant flats even at lower cost.
When asked about the recent episode involving him and Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, Manohar Joshi said ``no comments on this''.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
