Vijayapura: The Supreme Court’s clarification that its recent verdict on environmental clearance (EC) norms will apply only prospectively has removed the last major hurdle for commissioning the Vijayapura Greenfield Airport, raising hopes that commercial flight operations could begin within three months.The airport infrastructure has already been completed, but operations could not commence due to the lack of environmental clearance. The delay was linked to litigation over projects that had begun without obtaining prior environmental clearance, creating uncertainty for several public infrastructure projects awaiting approvals.In its July 29 judgment, the apex court struck down the Union government’s July 7, 2021 office memorandum that allowed projects lacking prior environmental clearance to seek post-facto regularisation. At the same time, it clarified that the ruling would operate prospectively, ensuring that projects already under consideration would not be affected.The clarification has brought relief to several major public projects across the country, including the Vijayapura Greenfield Airport, AIIMS Medical College and Hospital in Odisha, the Centre of Excellence for Cancer Diseases in Tamil Nadu, govt medical colleges, slum rehabilitation schemes and irrigation projects in drought-prone regions.Vijayapura airport was caught in the resulting uncertainty after the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition filed by Chennai-based environmental organisation Vanashakti, took a strict view of projects initiated without prior environmental clearance. Although the airport was not directly involved in the case, the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change withheld its approval citing the court’s observations.Following the latest clarification, the ministry has been directed to process pending environmental clearance applications, clearing the way for the airport’s operational launch. State minister for large and medium industries and infrastructure development M B Patil said the airport could be inaugurated within three months, subject to completion of the remaining statutory formalities.The immediate requirement is environmental clearance from the Union environment ministry. Once it is granted, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will inspect the facility and issue certification for commercial operations.Developed by the Airports Authority of India on 727 acres at Burhanpur-Madabhavi villages on the outskirts of Vijayapura, the airport is designed to handle large commercial aircraft. Once operational, it is expected to improve connectivity across Vijayapura, Kittur Karnataka and adjoining districts of Maharashtra, while boosting trade, tourism and industrial growth.
