Juhu runway project opposed by Maharashtra govt

The plan by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to extend the Juhu airport runway to ease congestion at the Mumbai airport and shift the slower-moving turbo props and private jets to Juhu, was opposed by the state government. The government argues that the extension project would impact the proposed Bandra-Versova sea link. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has recently secured the green nod for the Bandra-Versova sea link. Also, the state chief secretary JK Banthia has reportedly conveyed to AAI chairman VP Agarwal that the locals might object to the plan to extend the runway. Following the delay in the implementation of the Navi Mumbai airport project, AAI plans to revive the Juhu runway extension project, which was conceptualised several years ago. According to the plan by the authority, the 1,140-metre runway would be extended by 700-800 metre to enable it to accommodate turboprops and small passenger jets. Juhu airport, which is managed by AAI, serves as a helibase for Mumbai and handles around 100 chopper movements a day. It can only accommodate small fixed wing planes owing to its smaller length of its runway.