Pune: Purandar Landowners Intensify Protest Against Greenfield Airport Project

Purandar, 25th March 2025: The landowners of seven villages in Purandar taluka have escalated their resistance against the proposed greenfield airport project, fearing forced land acquisition. Over the past ten days, they have organized multiple meetings, taken oaths, and sought legal advice to safeguard their lands.

Rising Concerns Amid Government Actions
Recent developments, including the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) notification and the appointment of four officials to fast-track land acquisition, have intensified concerns among villagers. While a small section of landowners (about 20%) is willing to give up their land, the majority remain steadfast in their opposition.

“We are identifying those who are firmly against the project and wish to protest alongside us. Some may change their stance later, but at this moment, the community is deeply concerned,” said B.S. Memane, a landowner from Pargaon Memane village.

Seeking Legal Guidance and Strengthening the Movement
In a bid to strengthen their protest, villagers recently invited former Bombay High Court judge and social activist B.G. Kolse Patil for guidance. “We have asked all landowners to provide written statements on whether they support or oppose the project. At a meeting attended by over 300 landowners, everyone took an oath to not give up their land. We are prepared to take legal action if required, but our protests will remain non-violent,” Memane added.

Resource Mobilization and Community Support
To sustain the agitation, landowners have started pooling resources. In some villages, they have proposed a contribution of ₹25 per guntha of land to create a protest fund. “We hope that all affected villages will contribute, and we will soon hold a joint meeting to plan the way forward,” a landowner from Vanpuri village stated.

Festival to Mark a Turning Point
With Gudi Padwa on March 30, many villagers have decided to forgo celebrations, treating the day as a moment for reflection and collective decision-making. “A crucial meeting will be held on Gudi Padwa, where we will determine our next steps. Unfortunately, our repeated attempts to meet Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar have been unsuccessful,” Memane noted.

Extent of Land Acquisition
The state government plans to acquire 2,832 hectares of land across seven villages—Pargaon Memane, Vanpuri, Kumbharvalan, Khanvadi, Udachivadi, Munjavadi, and Ekhatpur—for the airport project. On March 10, MIDC declared 2,753 hectares across 3,352 land survey numbers as an industrial zone, with an additional 70 hectares to be acquired from the forest department. A week later, on March 18, Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi appointed four officials to accelerate land acquisition.

As tensions mount, landowners remain determined to resist displacement, emphasizing their right to land and livelihood over infrastructural expansion.