Farmers Take Legal Recourse Against Purandar Airport Project Amid Stamping of Land Parcels

Strategic Insights -

Local farmers have decided to take legal action against the district administration's move to stamp land parcels earmarked for the proposed Purandar international airport, effectively freezing property transactions in seven villages. Despite assurances from the state revenue minister that proceedings would be adjourned for 15 days, the administrative action has inflamed tensions in the region. The farmers, represented by the Vimantal Virodhak Samiti, plan to approach the district court, high court, and even the Supreme Court to stall the project.

Key Takeaways:

  • The district administration has initiated the process of stamping land parcels earmarked for the airport project in seven villages, affecting over 2,832 hectares of land.
  • The farmers' organization, Vimantal Virodhak Samiti, has decided to take legal recourse against the district administration's move, citing a lack of consultation and consent.
  • The farmers plan to challenge the environmental clearances granted for the airport project and have approached experts for their views on why the site is not conducive for an airport.
  • The administrative move comes despite assurances from the state revenue minister that proceedings would be adjourned for 15 days while an alternative proposal is prepared.
  • The airport project has faced stiff resistance from local communities, with villagers halting drone surveys and damaging survey equipment.
  • The farmers' organization claims that the stamping process violates their constitutional rights, and they will not accept coercive methods.

Statistics:

  • 2,832 hectares of land across seven villages are targeted for acquisition by the airport project.
  • The district administration has instructed circle officers to mark all targeted survey numbers with stamps indicating the land is earmarked for the airport project.
  • The farmers have been given 15 days to register objections, after which further action will be taken assuming there is nothing to say.
  • Approximately 10,000 landowners from the seven villages are impacted by the land acquisition process.

Sources:

  • Times of India
  • Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) notification dated March 7
  • Letter from land acquisition officials to Purandar sub-registrar office dated May 6
  • Interview with Jitendra Memane, representative of the Vimantal Virodhak Samiti
  • Interview with Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi