Over 800 Objections Filed Against Purandar Airport Land Plan

02 Jun 2025 CW Team

The objections come in response to a government notification issued in March 2025, declaring over 2,750 hectares of land—spread across 3,352 survey numbers in Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur, Munjwadi, Khanwadi, and Pargaon villages—as an ‘Industrial Area’. An additional 70 hectares will be acquired from the state forest department.

Earlier survey efforts were met with resistance, resulting in clashes between police and locals that left more than 25 police personnel and several villagers injured. The situation prompted a temporary halt to the survey to restore order.

“We are taking every objection seriously,” said Varsha Landge, Purandar’s sub-divisional officer. “Many of these highlight valid concerns around displacement, inadequate compensation, and the loss of livelihood.”

In response to mounting tension, Maharashtra’s revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule visited the region on 5 May and promised an open dialogue with residents. The state government has since appointed three land acquisition officers to oversee the next phase of the process—two covering three villages each, and one dedicated to a single village.

Villagers continue to express unease over the project’s implications. “We are not against development,” said Ravindra Jagtap, a farmer from Khanwadi, “but it should not come at the cost of our land, identity, and generational livelihoods. Compensation cannot replace what we stand to lose.”

The airport development plan, which requires the acquisition of nearly 2,674 hectares of land, aims to improve regional connectivity and boost Maharashtra’s infrastructure capacity. However, with objections pouring in, authorities must now navigate the legal, emotional, and socio-economic complexities that accompany such a major infrastructure undertaking.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The land acquisition process for the proposed Purandar International Airport in Maharashtra has run into resistance, with the Pune district administration receiving over 800 formal objections from villagers across seven affected villages. These submissions will now be individually reviewed in scheduled hearings in the coming weeks.The objections come in response to a government notification issued in March 2025, declaring over 2,750 hectares of land—spread across 3,352 survey numbers in Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur, Munjwadi, Khanwadi, and Pargaon villages—as an ‘Industrial Area’. An additional 70 hectares will be acquired from the state forest department.Earlier survey efforts were met with resistance, resulting in clashes between police and locals that left more than 25 police personnel and several villagers injured. The situation prompted a temporary halt to the survey to restore order.“We are taking every objection seriously,” said Varsha Landge, Purandar’s sub-divisional officer. “Many of these highlight valid concerns around displacement, inadequate compensation, and the loss of livelihood.”In response to mounting tension, Maharashtra’s revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule visited the region on 5 May and promised an open dialogue with residents. The state government has since appointed three land acquisition officers to oversee the next phase of the process—two covering three villages each, and one dedicated to a single village.Villagers continue to express unease over the project’s implications. “We are not against development,” said Ravindra Jagtap, a farmer from Khanwadi, “but it should not come at the cost of our land, identity, and generational livelihoods. Compensation cannot replace what we stand to lose.”The airport development plan, which requires the acquisition of nearly 2,674 hectares of land, aims to improve regional connectivity and boost Maharashtra’s infrastructure capacity. However, with objections pouring in, authorities must now navigate the legal, emotional, and socio-economic complexities that accompany such a major infrastructure undertaking.

Equipment

07 Jul 2026

Plant & Equipment Secures Funding to Expand Auction Business

Plant & Equipment (P&E), a global heavy equipment marketplace, has secured asset-backed financing to accelerate the growth of P&E Auctions, its auction business serving buyers and sellers across the Middle East, Africa and other international markets.The investment will be used to acquire physically inspected construction equipment, lifting machinery and commercial vehicles, enabling the company to provide minimum guarantees on assets sold through its auction platform.Launched in December 2023, P&E Auctions has expanded rapidly following the success of the company's online mark..

Equipment

07 Jul 2026

Michelin Opens Two New Retail Service Centres in North India

Michelin India has expanded its retail network in North India with the launch of two new Michelin Tyres & Services (MTS) stores in Amritsar and Panchkula. Opened in partnership with National Auto and Universal Tyres, respectively, the new outlets aim to strengthen the company's presence in one of India's fastest-growing automotive markets.Located on Loharka Road in Amritsar and in the Industrial Area of Panchkula, each 5,000-sq-ft facility offers Michelin's range of passenger car and two-wheeler tyres, including the Primacy, Pilot Sport, Latitude Sport and LTX Trail series. The centres als..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

IHC and Adani to Invest US$11.5 bn in Odisha Aluminium Project

Abu Dhabi's International Holding Company (IHC) will invest US$11.5 bn in an integrated aluminium project in the eastern Indian state of Odisha in a joint venture with the Adani Group, a state official said. The official said the announcement represented the country's largest foreign investment in mining and metallurgy. Officials said the venture would span both mining and metallurgical activities across several facilities in the state. The project has been described as integrated, encompassing upstream bauxite extraction and downstream smelting and metallurgy, and is intended to develop a com..