Pune: Purandar Airport Land Acquisition to Start Soon Under MIDC, Says Uday Samant
Pune, September 30, 2024: The Maharashtra government is poised to commence the long-awaited land acquisition process for the Purandar Airport, an important initiative for enhancing the region’s infrastructure. State Industries Minister Uday Samant announced this development during his visit to Pune, emphasizing the project’s importance for the overall growth of the state and its residents.
Minister Samant stated that the state government is collaborating closely with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to expedite the acquisition process. “The Purandar Airport project is crucial for the overall development of the state, especially for Punekars,” he said.
In the coming days, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and Samant will convene a meeting to discuss the land acquisition details. “We will finalize a model for the project within the next eight days, after which the land acquisition will commence,” Samant added.
Three potential models for the land acquisition are being considered:
- MIDC Acquisition: MIDC will acquire the land, transfer it to construction stakeholders who will then compensate the government, and the funds will be directed to landowners.
- Direct Payment: The government will pay for the land acquisition upfront, later reclaiming the costs from construction stakeholders.
- Government Acquisition: MIDC will acquire the land directly and subsequently lease it to industrialists.
The planned acquisition will cover approximately 3,000 acres across seven villages in Purandar, aimed at addressing the increasing congestion at Pune’s existing airport and meeting the rising demands of the rapidly growing city. The project has been in development for several years, and recent governmental actions signal a renewed commitment to bringing it to fruition.
In addition to the airport project, Samant addressed political developments in the state, particularly concerning the upcoming assembly elections. He mentioned a recent meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss the Mahayuti (BJP-led alliance) seat-sharing formula, indicating that further discussions will follow.
As Maharashtra prepares for assembly polls, the development of large-scale infrastructure projects like the Purandar Airport is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape. For now, the focus remains on accelerating the groundwork for a project that has been highly anticipated by the people of Pune.