I ‘ll talk to Centre on 2nd airport’

the Navi Mumbai airport would have Mumbai airport would have been ready by now had one of the Ambani brother been its developer and not the government , chief minister Ashok Chavan on Monday assured that the Centre’s objection to the project would be resolved soon through negotiations.
“this airport is the need of the hour and our priority is to resolve the conflict immediately so that the airport is in place before its need is felt,” he added .he, how –ever, admitted that Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas lacked proper trans –port and parking infrastructure.
Both the CM and his deputy were speaking at a Cidco function at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, on Monday. It was held to mark the inauguration of an urban haat in Belapur and a vocational training centre for SEZ- and airport-affected people at Dronagiri as well as the bhoomipujan of Aagari-Koli Cultureal Centre and an exhibition centre.
Interracting with the media, Chavan said he would meet Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh to convince his ministry about the need for speedy development of the airport.
“we will follow up the matter regularly ,” Chavan said after Bhujbal’s jibe at the congress leadership .”Do we have to go 200 km out of the city to have second airport?” Bhubal, an NCP leader ,asked. Chavan said he did not want to create a controversy over the issue and that he would ensure that the centre and state resolved it as soon as possible.
To a request made by state excise minister Ganesh Naik that water transport be restored between Vashi and the Gate-way of India, Chavan assured all help from the state government.
On the power tariff issue, he said the government would soon bring load-shedding to an end in the state and also keep a check on the growing power rates.
To a query whether the state congress would go it alone in the next assembly elections, he said the party would take a decision only after discussing the issue with grassroots workers.
Energy minister Sunil Tatkare, Thane MP Sanjeev Naik , Cidco chairmen Nakul Patil, Cidco MD G S Gill, Navi Mumbai mayer Anjani Bhoir and deputy mayer Shashikant Birajdar were also present at the fuction.