Fadnavis Denies Farmer Deaths in Purandar Airport Row; Says Police Used Minimal Force Amid Violence
Mumbai/Pune, 15th July 2025: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has denied allegations that farmers died during protests against the proposed international airport at Purandar in Pune district. Speaking in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Fadnavis clarified that police used only minimal and appropriate force after being attacked by protesters, and no deaths occurred as a result.
“The farmers in Ekhatpur village had opposed the drone survey being conducted for the airport project. During the protest, some individuals pelted stones at the revenue and police officials. In response, the police used the least force necessary to bring the situation under control. There were no farmer deaths in this incident,” Fadnavis said.
He was responding to a starred question raised by MLCs Jayant Patil (Islampur) and Hemant Ogle (Shrirampur), who had sought answers on whether police had lathi-charged project-affected farmers in May 2025, resulting in injuries and allegedly three deaths.
Fadnavis acknowledged that some police and revenue officials, as well as local residents, sustained injuries during the clash, but reiterated that no lives were lost due to police action.
Airport Project Declared a Necessity
Justifying the continuation of the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport project, Fadnavis said that Pune’s growing population and increasing demand for air travel necessitated a second airport.
“Following site inspections, Munjewadi-Paragav Memane in Purandar taluka was identified as a technically viable location by the Airports Authority of India. The Ministry of Defence issued a No Objection Certificate in January 2018, and the Greenfield Airports Steering Committee gave its clearance on April 23, 2018,” he noted.
Fadnavis assured that all aspects of land acquisition, compensation, and rehabilitation of project-affected people will be handled as per government policy.
He cited a Government Resolution dated May 9, 2018, which granted administrative and financial approval for the airport and associated land acquisition processes. “All required procedures for compensation and resettlement will be followed to ensure justice for affected farmers,” he said.
