Pune: Drone Survey for Purandar Airport Put on Hold After Villagers Clash With Police

Purandar, 5th May 2025: Following violent protests over the weekend, the district administration has suspended plans for drone-based land surveys and joint land measurements in seven Purandar taluka villages earmarked for the proposed international airport project.

The move comes after tensions flared on Saturday, resulting in injuries to police personnel and villagers, and the death of an 87-year-old woman from Kumbharvalan village. Authorities have paused all survey activities until further notice.

“We had scheduled both drone mapping and on-ground land measurement work, but senior officials have decided to defer these plans for now,” said Land Acquisition Officer Varsha Landge. “Further decisions will be made after internal discussions, possibly involving talks with local residents to reduce tensions.”

The planned acquisition spans 2,832 hectares across Pargaon Memane, Ekhatpur, Kumbharvalan, Vanpuri, Khanavadi, Munjavadi, and Udachivadi villages. The airport project, expected to be completed by 2029, has faced continuous resistance from landowners, who are demanding clarity and fair compensation.

Protests intensified earlier last week when villagers allegedly damaged a survey drone and assaulted a technician. Tensions escalated again on Saturday when a woman, later identified as Anjana Mahadev Kamthe, died at her home in Kumbharvalan. While officials attributed her death to cardiac arrest, locals blamed the stress caused by the survey activity and heavy police deployment.

“Though she wasn’t part of the protests, she had been disturbed by the ongoing situation. On Saturday, after witnessing the administration’s forceful approach, she collapsed,” said Pandurang Memane, a resident of Pargaon Memane. “She feared losing her home.”

According to Landge, as news of Kamthe’s death spread, villagers allegedly began pelting stones at police, prompting a “mild lathicharge” in response. “The police team was trying to leave when they were attacked. That’s when the situation turned violent,” she said.

Pune Rural Police confirmed the woman’s death occurred at her residence, not at the protest site. “The lathicharge did not cause her death, but emotions ran high, and the crowd turned hostile. Twenty-five of our personnel, including officers and constables, were injured. Two police vehicles were also damaged. We have taken some people into custody, and investigations are underway,” said a senior officer.

Saturday’s survey had begun in Ekhatpur, with clashes erupting near the border with Kumbharvalan. Similar tensions were reported a day earlier as well.

Political reactions have been sharp. State BJP president and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule condemned the police response, calling it “unacceptable.” Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he had directed officials to avoid aggressive tactics. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule described the events as “distressing and unfortunate.”

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol reaffirmed the project’s importance for Pune’s development. “There will be opposition, but the government is committed to compensating landowners,” he said last week.

Villagers, however, remain unconvinced. “The protest was peaceful until the police arrived. Our rights are being ignored. We will now approach the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the acquisition process,” one landowner said.

Many villagers allege that women protestors were also subjected to force. “At least 10 people were hurt. Two are still in hospital,” said another local.