Rough landing

The bureaucracy 8212; State, district and civic alike 8212; is only willing to toe the line drawn by the political masters. No matter the strong opposition expressed by the defence fraternity, serving as well as retired, in Pune.

At the centre of the ongoing row is the MoD gazette notification SRO 93, May 22, 2001 imposing restrictions on construction activity within 900 metres radius area around the air base. Development activity in the proposed no-development zone surrounding the AFS 8212; Lohegaon, Yerawada, Kalwad, Kharadi, Tingre Nagar and Wadgaon Sheri 8212; had since been stalled. Pro-development elements were lobbying hard to get rid of this notification.

Also, there were differences between the AFS and the district administration over demarcation of boundary from where the 900 mts radius area was to be identified and declared as a 8216;No Development Zone8217;. While the AFS insisted that its boundry begins from the 8216;8216;crest of the outer periphery of the air base,8217;8217; as sought by the notification, the administration contended that it ought to begin from the boundry where the air strip ends. That, the AFS definition would have involved acquisition of a huge area by evacuating residents there. Further, entailing an enormous cost towards compensation, which was unfeasible. With the interests of scores of residents involved, it was only a matter of time before the politicians joined the issue.

On September 19, Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Chhajed 8212; under whose constituency falls the proposed no-development zone 8212; released a letter by Under Secretary to MoD S K Jha informing the State that the notification has expired. As such, there are no restrictions.

This is being construed as 8216;8216;lifting of the ban8217;8217; on constructions.

An elated Chhajed claimed, the move provides relief to scores of residents while the builders too welcomed it, saying it would boost development activity, so far stalled by the notification.

However, AFS authorities have reiterated their concern over the serious ramifications from the viewpoint of security and flight safety. 8216;8216;We will object to any development in the 900 mts area,8217;8217; Chief Administration Officer at AFS Lohegaon Group Captain A S Bhonsle told The Indian Express.

With sensitive installations like fuel dump, bomb and missile dumps, radar stations located on the airfield, one can barely allow development in the vicinity, he said. Air Force officers say this is a direct security risk as there would be no effective control on who is coming and who is staying where, particularly, in these times of terrorism.