Give land,not money,to PAP: CIDCO to Chavan

In an effort to expedite the Navi Mumbai Airport,the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has suggested to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan that giving developed land to project-affected people (PAP) instead of financial compensation is the only way forward. PAP have been demanding monetary compensation of over Rs 20 crore per hectare,which would cost CIDCO over Rs 20,000 crore.

The CM,who presided over the review meeting,has asked CIDCO to give a detailed presentation on its proposal on Monday after which the government will take a final decision. CIDCO is planning to give 22.5 per cent developed land to the PAP. “We are planning to follow the Haryana Urban Development Authority’s model of providing developed land around the proposed project. Providing monetary compensation will be very expensive. We have apprised the CM of the situation. He has asked us to make a detailed presentation on Monday,” CIDCO vice-chairman and managing director Tanaji Satre said.

The Navi Mumbai airport,which has been touted as the harbinger of growth and development for the area,has been stuck as 3,000 families that will be uprooted are not happy with the rehabilitation package being offered.

CIDCO had earlier proposed 12.5 per cent of the developed land around the project as a suitable compensation. Villagers,however,sought Rs 20 crore per acre.

The airport was planned to ease the load on the existing airport. It is spread over 2,020 acres,of which only 1,596 hectares are in government and CIDCO’s possession.

The corporation needs to acquire an additional 424 hectares by shifting around 3,000 families from 10 hamlets to construct the airport by 2014.

Four-Phase Plan

The Rs 8,722-crore project was expected to come up in four phases

Story continues below this ad

As per the plan,the first phase was expected to be completed by 2014

The remaining phases were expected to be completed by 2017,2025 and 2031