Pune: Despite continued resistance from sections of the farming community, the Maharashtra state government is moving ahead with the proposed Purandar airport project. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar confirmed that a significant portion of the required land has already been acquired and that many landowners who had previously sold their plots are now willing to officially hand them over.
Speaking after a recent review meeting focused on the upcoming kharif season, Pawar emphasized that while some affected farmers continue to oppose the project, particularly those whose homes and agricultural land are at stake, the government is determined to proceed.
The project spans across seven villages, and earlier attempts to conduct drone surveys were disrupted due to farmer protests, including incidents of stone-pelting. The unrest had prompted Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to pause the survey and initiate talks with local farmers. He urged them to engage constructively and submit their expectations regarding compensation, highlighting the long-term benefits of the infrastructure development.
Nearly a month has passed since that episode, and while dialogue with the farming community is ongoing, the government has taken steps to acquire land from those who are now cooperative. Officials revealed that around 60% of the required land has already been purchased by private parties who are now ready to complete the transfer.
This development suggests the government’s strategy is to utilize the already available 60% land to kick-start the project, even as it continues negotiations with the remaining holdout landowners. The future of the opposition, and whether it can halt or alter the project timeline, remains uncertain.
