Pune: Farmers who have not yet consented to land acquisition for the proposed Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje International Airport in Purandar have until Oct 10 to agree to part with their land. Failing this, the district administration will initiate compulsory acquisition. Officials confirmed there will be no extension of the deadline.The administration has secured consent for around 97% of the 1,216 hectares required for the project, while possession has been taken of 980 hectares — accounting for nearly 81% of the total land requirement. Consent is still pending for the remaining land, estimated at around 40 hectares, according to the district administration.The Pune district administration stated that the remaining landowners have been given a final opportunity to submit their consent. “The farmers who are yet to give consent have time until Oct 10. After that, compulsory land acquisition will be undertaken,” officials said.The acquisition covers seven villages in Purandar taluka: Vanpuri, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur, Khanwadi, Pargaon, Udachiwadi, and Munjwadi.The state govt has fixed compensation at Rs1.61 crore per acre. Separate compensation packages are being provided for trees, orchards, wells, and houses affected by the acquisition. The administration has already paid around Rs3,800 crore to landowners.The project recently cleared a major legal hurdle after Bombay High Court dismissed a petition filed by farmers questioning the suitability of the proposed airport site, removing a key obstacle to the acquisition process.
