The wait for the Purandar airport in Pune has reduced as the Maharashtra State Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has issued a notification for land acquisition for this airport.
This has paved the way for the land acquisition process for the airport work to start soon. State industrial minister Uday Samant recently held a high-power committee meeting regarding land acquisition for the Purandar Airport and gave approval for beginning the land acquisition process under the ‘pass through method.’
This method is similar to the land acquisition process for the Samruddhi Mahamarg. Under this process, land will be acquired at five times the ready reckoner rates.
Farmers to be compensated on the lines of the Ring Road and Samruddhi Highway
After receiving the notification from MIDC, the district administration will take action for land acquisition. Officials said that farmers will be compensated on the lines of the Ring Road and Samruddhi Highway while acquiring land.
Meanwhile, out of the seven villages, the maximum area will be acquired for this airport in Pargaon, followed by Khanwadi, Kumbharvalan, Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Ekhatpur, and Munjawadi.
The Central and State Governments, as well as the Airport Authority of India and the Ministry of Defence, have already given the green light to the land acquisition in seven villages of Purandar taluka. Earlier, the notification for land acquisition was issued by the Maharashtra State Airport Development Company. Now, this project has been handed over to MIDC.
The airport, since its announcement, has been embroiled in controversy. Set to be named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the proposed Purandar international airport is seen as a response to the growing operational challenges at the existing Lohegaon airport, which also serves as a base for the Indian Air Force. Initially, Chakan was considered as the location for the new airport, but due to local protests, the plan was shelved. Purandar was then selected as the alternative, offering more space and fewer objections.
Once completed, the airport is poised to significantly enhance Pune's infrastructure, connectivity, and its role as a major hub for commerce, tourism, and international travel.
