Efforts to advance the long-delayed Purandar International Airport project are underway, with authorities adopting a voluntary land purchase model to expedite land acquisition. This approach, similar to the one used for the Samruddhi Expressway, aims to provide fair compensation to affected farmers while minimizing delays.
The project, stalled for over five years, is estimated to cost ₹5,000 crore and will require land from seven villages in Purandar Taluka. Concerns over inadequate compensation have led to local opposition, but the voluntary purchase model seeks to address these grievances. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the original site for the airport, despite earlier proposals to relocate it under the previous government.
Purandar Haveli MLA Vijay Shivtare, who has supported the project, emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue with farmers to overcome hurdles. He has also proposed developing 1,400 acres of barren land near the site into an IT park to generate employment opportunities for those impacted by the project.
Initially managed by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), the project was later transferred to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for land acquisition. A year ago, Shivtare recommended adopting the voluntary purchase model to accelerate the process, and the plan is now gaining traction under the current government.
The airport was announced in 2018 and received approvals from central and state governments, the Airport Authority of India, and the Ministry of Defense. However, delays were attributed to political disagreements and local opposition. The Ministry of Defense rejected a proposed alternative site during the tenure of the Mahavikas Aghadi government, prompting the current administration to reaffirm its commitment to the original location.
Plans for the airport also include a multi-modal logistics hub to bolster economic activity in the region. Authorities continue to engage with stakeholders to resolve concerns and advance the project.
The Adani Group has reportedly expressed interest in funding the airport’s construction costs.
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