A federal tribunal halted the construction of the International Santa Lucía Airport until the Mexican government shows it has obtained the required environmental diagnosis and permits that guarantee that the airport won’t affect the environment.
Graph group “Mexicans Against Corruption” says the project is on hold until the government presents assurances that it will not harm the environment or affect archaeological sites.
The government did not immediately respond Friday June 7th, to a request for comment.
But fact is that the First Tribunal Court on Administrative Matters in the State of Mexico granted the suspension of the construction to Juan Ramón Morera Mitre, the director of Novalan, S. A. de C. V., a textile company.
The first time Morera Mitre filed an injunction against the cancellation of Mexico’s New International Airport (NAIM) located in Texcoco, his petition was rejected because the judge considered that Morera Mitre didn’t have a legitimate interest in the trial procedures.
Therefore, the business leader decided to file a complaint that was solved on May 30.
In his lawsuit, Morera Mitre argues that the construction of the Santa Lucía Airport started without the proper authorizations and permits in regards to environmental impact.
The magistrates considered that if the suspension wasn’t granted, acts that could damage and affect society and the environment could be carried out.
As a consequence, the measure will prevail until a district judge issues a verdict in regards to the permanent suspension of the project.
On April 29, the President led a ceremony to mark the start of the studies and preliminary works at the International Santa Lucía Airport. According to the Mexican government, this new airport will have a capacity for 20 million passengers every year.
After a highly questioned referendum, president Andrés Manuel López Obrador cancelled an already-begun airport construction closer to Mexico City’s centre after taking office Dec. 1. He argued the project was too costly and prone to corruption.
Officials say the replacement project at the Santa Lucia Airbase will cost $4.1 billion USD, representing a cost savings even considering losses from cancelling the Texcoco airport. It is expected to open in mid-2021.
San Miguel Times Newsroom