As Purandar airport project gathers steam, Pune district admin contacts landowners directly to allay concerns

Spread over 2,832 hectares, the proposed international airport will require the acquisition of land from seven villages, among which Pargaon has put up the most opposition. “Opposition to any major project is not unnatural and is a sign of a healthy democracy. However, for individual farmers, we have to ensure that there are no misgivings or wrong impressions which is causing the protest,” an officer said.

“Thus, our officers have started going to the people whose land is to be acquired and talking to them directly,” the officer said, adding that reaching out to people individually will avoid issues caused by middlemen.

Earlier, district collector Jitendra Dudi said drone survey for the land would start on April 9, before which notices would be issued and the gram panchayat would be consulted.

As the Purandar airport project gathers steam, protests have erupted in some quarters. Considering that the villagers are expected to get double the market value as compensation, substantial money is involved in the land acquisition process and due diligence is being done to ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands. The district authorities want to avoid the entry of unscrupulous elements who may act as pressure groups or dupe the villagers.

Previously, for land acquisition processes, the state government gave the compensation amount as fixed deposits to help the people whose land was acquired.

Meanwhile, some villagers have said that they will not allow the survey to proceed. Mahesh Memane, a resident of Pargaon, said the acquisition would leave them landless. “The land in question has orchards that we grew. There is no question of parting with the same,” he added.

Memane said all seven villages are united in their protest against the acquisition. The villagers have also boycotted the annual fair. “We have not been contacted by anyone. Everything is happening at the top level,” he said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had approved the Purandar International Airport project during his first term in 2014, after which efforts to implement it slowed down. Now Fadnavis has revived the project and the district collector is working to ensure its smooth execution.