PUNE: The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is set to allocate approximately Rs 6,000 crore for land acquisition related to the proposed Purandar airport, according to state government sources reported by TOI on Saturday.
The Pune district administration has submitted the proposal, which is currently undergoing final approval stages. An official mentioned, “The clearance is imminent, and we expect to release around Rs 6,000 crore for land acquisition.”
Based on a notification from March 17, 2025, under the Land Acquisition Act, farmers are being offered compensation of Rs 1 crore per acre, with double compensation for on-site assets including houses, wells, cattle sheds, borewells, and pipelines, along with compensation for fruit-bearing trees and 10% of developed land in exchange for acquired plots.
However, farmers from affected villages have rejected this offer, demanding increased compensation ranging from Rs 3 crore to Rs 3.4 crore per acre. They are also seeking rehabilitation benefits similar to those provided for the Pune ring road and Navi Mumbai airport projects, requesting 22.5% developed plots instead of the proposed 10%.
The land acquisition is planned across seven villages, covering approximately 1,285 hectares (around 3,000 acres). Officials reported that farmers have consented to nearly 1,245 hectares, while approvals for about 40 hectares are pending. Around 95% of landowners have agreed; however, the remaining land still needs to be acquired.
The district administration is organizing a meeting soon between affected farmers and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Five farmers from each of the seven villages will be invited to present their requests. Officials believe this interaction will aid in finalizing compensation rates and rehabilitation packages.
During prior meetings at the collector’s office, participating farmers raised a variety of demands. These include higher land rates, a larger number of developed plots, income tax exemptions on compensation received, stamp duty concessions for rehabilitation, certificates for project-affected and landless individuals, Kunbi certificates, increased Floor Space Index (FSI), development of plots, infrastructure improvements for surrounding villages, crop valuation, permanent job opportunities for local youth at the airport, concessional business loans, and fee reductions for education.
The land measurement process has been completed, and the proposal received in-principle approval from the industries department. Officials indicated that negotiations with farmers delayed the acquisition process by nearly a month. “The upcoming meeting with the Chief Minister is vital for addressing key concerns regarding compensation and rehabilitation, which will expedite the land acquisition for the airport, projected as a significant infrastructure enhancement for the Pune region,” an official stated.
