Pargaon Villagers Stand Firm Against The Purandar Airport Project, Pass Resolution to Protect Their Land

In a bold move, the residents of Pargaon village in Maharashtra’s Purandar taluka have unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposed Purandar International Airport project. The decision, taken during a special gram sabha held on Friday, saw around 150 villagers rallying together to protect their land from acquisition.

The meeting, chaired by the village sarpanch, was held at the Bhairavnath Sabha Mandap in front of the gram panchayat office. It was convened following a notice issued by the sarpanch and gramsevak on March 18, calling for a discussion on the land acquisition process. The villagers’ resolution sends a clear message to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), which is overseeing the acquisition of 2,753 hectares across seven villages, including Pargaon.

Pargaon, the largest affected village, stands to lose 1,014.507 hectares of land, covering 1,605 survey numbers. Other villages like Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur, Munjavadi, and Khanavdi are also part of the acquisition plan, though to a lesser extent. Munjavadi, for instance, will see the smallest acquisition, with only 129.323 hectares being taken over.

The state government has already issued a notification for land acquisition, and the process is expected to accelerate in the coming months. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed MIDC to expedite the process, with the aim of making the airport operational by March 2029. A detailed project report (DPR) is slated for completion by September 2025.

However, the villagers of Pargaon remain steadfast in their opposition. Their resolution reflects growing concerns over displacement, loss of livelihoods, and the environmental impact of the project. As the government pushes forward with its plans, the resistance from Pargaon and other affected villages could pose significant challenges to the ambitious airport project.

The standoff between the villagers and the authorities highlights the ongoing tension between development initiatives and the rights of local communities. With the land acquisition process gaining momentum, the coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of the Purandar International Airport project.