CM Fadnavis Promises Generous Compensation and Jobs for Purandar Farmers
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made significant promises to farmers in the Purandar region, where a new airport is set to be constructed. Speaking at a meeting with representatives from seven villages in Pune district, Fadnavis assured that the airport project would not only benefit the region economically but also enhance the GDP of Pune by about 2 percent.
The CM emphasized that the proposed airport would serve as a catalyst for industrial and trade expansion, attracting significant investment. He drew parallels with the recently constructed Navi Mumbai airport, highlighting how airports can create substantial opportunities for agriculture, industry, and trade in their surrounding areas. Fadnavis assured the farmers that the government would offer the highest possible compensation for the land acquired for the airport project, with the rate of compensation to be finalized through negotiations rather than based on the ready reckoner.
To ensure the long-term security of the farmers and their future generations, Fadnavis announced that all benefits related to TDR (Transferable Development Rights) would be provided under the Purandar Aerocity project. The children of project-affected farmers will be given 100 percent priority in job placements, and a skill development center will be established for the local youth once land rates are finalized. The Chief Minister also assured that cases registered during earlier agitations against the project would be withdrawn.
Rehabilitation of farmers and other residents affected by the project will be a top priority. Fadnavis stated, “We are considering compensation higher than the original land value to ensure long-term security of farmers and their future generations.” The benefits could exceed those offered for earlier projects such as CIDCO projects. The rehabilitation process will be sensitive to family structures, ensuring additional space for adult children and solutions for the shares of sisters, small landholders, and landless farmers.
The Purandar airport project will be the first in the state to offer both monetary compensation and alternative land to project-affected persons. To further enhance the significance of the project, a grand statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the second ruler of the 17th-century Maratha state, will be erected in the airport area. The government is also considering making the affected farmers stakeholders in the project and is discussing a proposal to set up a separate corporation for all project-affected persons in the state.
These comprehensive measures aim to ensure that the Purandar airport project not only meets its economic goals but also addresses the concerns and needs of the local community, fostering a harmonious and sustainable development process.
