Purandar Airport Update: Land Survey To Resume After Completion Of Objection Hearings

In good news for flyers, the Pune district administration is all set to resume the land survey for the proposed Rs 3,500 crore greenfield international airport at Purandar.

This comes after the administration completed hearings on more than 3,000 objections and suggestions filed by farmers from seven villages - Pargaon Memane, Ekhatpur, Kumbharvalan, Vanpuri, Khanwadi, Munjawadi and Udachiwadi - in Purandar taluka.

Land acquisition officials said the reactions from the farmers were mixed. Some opposed the project outright, while others demanded higher compensation, jobs and rehabilitation packages.

"Response has improved since the process began, but many farmers still have reservations. We are trying to take them into confidence as well," an official told TOI.

Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Kalyan Pandhare said the state aims to acquire 90% of the land and return 10% as developed plots within the airport complex. "No injustice will be done and the process will be transparent," he said, adding they plan to complete the land survey this month.

Earlier on May 3, violence broke out during drone surveys across seven villages identified for the international airport. Over 25 policemen and several villagers were injured in the clashes. Six of the protesters were detained during the agitation. The locals, however, accused the police of lathi-charging them.

The locals claimed that an 87-year-old woman from one of the villages died of a heart attack as she was anxious over the airport project. The woman's son alleged that his mother was under stress, as she feared that their land could be taken for the proposed airport.

Later, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule urged the farmers protesting to reconsider their opposition, assuring them of the "best possible land deal".

He said the proposed airport would transform the region and bring global connectivity to western Maharashtra.

"This will benefit farmers through international exports. The state government is committed to creating a world-class airport in Pune. It's a policy decision that will not be reversed," he asserted.