The land acquisition process for the proposed Purandar International Airport has encountered stiff resistance, with over 800 formal objections submitted by villagers from seven identified villages. These objections, filed within the official window, will now be taken up through individual hearings in the coming weeks, according to Pune district officials.

The surveys conducted to demarcate land for acquisition were met with strong opposition, leading to clashes between locals and police. The violence resulted in injuries to over 25 policemen and several villagers, prompting authorities to suspend the survey activities temporarily to maintain law and order.

Purandar sub-divisional officer Varsha Landge reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency and due process. “Each objection reflects the deep concerns of the community, from fears of displacement to inadequate compensation and livelihood loss,” she stated.

To ease tensions, Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule visited the affected region on 5 May and assured villagers that their grievances would be addressed. His visit came amid increasing criticism from activists and local leaders who alleged the project was progressing without sufficient public consultation.

Despite the unrest, the state government has proceeded with procedural formalities, appointing three land acquisition officers as per a gazette notification. Two officers will handle land processes across three villages each, while one will oversee a single village.

Expressing his apprehension, Ravindra Jagtap, a farmer from Khanwadi, said, “We are not against development, but it cannot come at the cost of our homes, farms, and identity. The proposed compensation does not reflect our emotional and economic losses.”

According to a notification dated 10 March 2025, issued by the Maharashtra Government’s Industries, Energy, Labour, and Mining Department and signed by Joint Secretary SL Pulkundwar, a total of 2,753 hectares spanning 3,352 land survey numbers across the seven villages in Purandar taluka has been designated as an ‘Industrial Area’. Additionally, 70 hectares will be acquired from the state forest department.

The Purandar airport project requires 2,674 hectares of land across the villages of Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur, Munjwadi, Khanwadi, and Pargaon. The state maintains that the airport is a strategic infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting regional development, but community resistance indicates a need for more inclusive and empathetic engagement.