Mumbai, (The Hindu):  The first phase of the Navi Mumbai Airport project will be completed by December 2019, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said during the budget session of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

He said the project will be completed in two phases: the terminal building and a runway will come up first, followed by a second runway, terminal building expansion and an air cargo facility.

The Opposition expressed dissatisfaction with the transfer fee charged for a parcel of rehabilitation land, meant for accommodating Project-Affected Persons (PAP). The land was opened up when CIDCO decided to give Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) to cattle shed owners in the project’s core area to settle acquisition issues holding up the rehabilitation process.

The airport-related question was raised by former CM and Congress MLA Prithviraj Chavan. Mr. Fadnavis said, “The transfer fee is levied only if the land given to PAP is transferred to a third party for redevelopment. In this case, the PAP are developing the land, so there is no question of imposing a transfer fee.” clarified.

He added, “We’re confident of completing the entire project in two-and-a-half years. The terminal building is likely to accommodate around 50,000 passengers. The developer has assured us of these deadlines.”