Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently said the proposed Purandar airport is expected to increase the GDP of the Pune region by around 2 per cent by encouraging industrial investment, trade expansion and employment generation.

Interacting with representatives from villages affected by the project in Pune district, Fadnavis said several industries were keen to invest in the region. He noted that the airport would serve not only passenger traffic but also function as a cargo hub, particularly supporting the movement of perishable goods. Drawing parallels with the Navi Mumbai airport, he said aviation infrastructure creates strong opportunities for agriculture, industry and trade in surrounding areas.

The Chief Minister assured that land acquisition compensation would be finalised through negotiations, with the government considering rates higher than existing land values. Benefits including transferable development rights, priority jobs for children of affected farmers and a skill development centre were also outlined. Rehabilitation of project-affected families will be prioritised, with provisions for both monetary compensation and alternative land under the Purandar aerocity project.