New Pune Airport To Be Constructed At Purandar Tehsil
Introduction
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the city’s new airport would be built on the site in Purandar Tehsil, initially identified by the Devendra Fadnavis-led administration, during his visit to Pune on Tuesday.
Following the village farmers’ opposition, the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government changed its mind about the project. The Ministry of Defense, however, revoked the authorization for construction at the recently chosen location.
As stated by the Council
The CM reviewed numerous development-related projects across five districts in the city. Eknath Shinde stated during the district review meeting at Council Hall in Pune, “Permission for the new site proposed by Maha Vikas Aghadi government has already been revoked.” We will build the airport at its original location in Purandar Tehsil now that we are in power. This original site is made up of six Tehsil villages—Munjwadi, Khanavadi, Udachiwadi, Wanpuri, Kumbharwalan, and Pargaon. Shinde claimed that farmers in the Pargaon village were the source of the opposition during his public rally in Saswad. He added that no coercion would be used to acquire land for the airport project. Instead, the land that has been voluntarily donated will be purchased while talks with other farmers are ongoing.
At the rally, former local MLA Vijay Shivtare said, “All the approvals had been obtained for the initial site, but MVA used farmers’ opposition to stall the project, and the initial site was moved towards Baramati. It is unacceptable that the terminals were kept in Baramati Taluka, and the landing facility was kept in Purandar. The state government should announce the rates for purchasing land, just like Samruddhi Mahamarg, and I am confident that farmers will volunteer to turn over their land.
The meeting also covered several other significant issues and decisions, including city infrastructure and traffic, fuel costs, farmer compensation, approval of the Aarey car shed, and proposed flood water diversion to drought-prone areas. Shinde added that there would soon be a cabinet expansion.
Purandar tehsil will host the construction of the new Pune airport:
In the Purandar tehsil, a new airport for Pune is planned. According to a report from HT, chief minister Eknath Shinde stated that this is the exact location chosen by the administration of former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and approved by the Ministry of Defense and Civic Aviation.
The original location is in the six villages of Munjwadi, Khanavadi, Kumbharwalan, Pargaon, and Wanpuri in the Purandar tehsil. The development will begin in the Purandar tehsil after the previous administration’s permission for a site close to the Baramati Taluka was revoked. Reports state that the terminals and landing facility in the prior plan were located in Baramati Taluka and Purandar, respectively.
Shinde claims that land will only be acquired for the airport with the consent of the locals and not against their will. He used the Samruddhi Mahamarg land acquisition process as an example, where land was first obtained from people willing to donate. Discussions with other farmers will begin simultaneously.
Background
The primary airport for the city is Lohagaon Air Force Station. It is also an Air Force base with a single civil terminal that handles domestic and international travel. Only two to four international flights can depart from it each day due to its designation as a “restricted international airport.”
There are roughly 65 to 70 connecting flights to popular domestic locations. With only eight parking spaces, this is causing congestion at the current airport and delaying flights. One is used for VIP passengers, another for charter flights, and the remaining three are used for domestic and international flights. The city’s rapid growth and inclusion in the Indian government’s Smart City program necessitated the construction of a dedicated international airport in the town. However, the current airport will be expanded with a second term until the new international airport is finished.
Connection
The Ambodi, Sonori, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur-Munjawadi, Khanwadi, Pargaon Memane, Rajewadi, Aamble, Tekwadi, Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, and Singapur villages are close to the project site. The nearest train station to the location is Rajewadi on the Pune-Miraj-Lonand line. Six different routes will connect the proposed airport, including Interstates 48 and 65. Major industrial facilities will also be connected to the proposed airport from Hadapsar by a unique ring road.
Imaginary Airport Building
Maharashtra currently needs a strong cargo network. The upcoming Purandar site of the new Pune International Airport will function as the state’s cargo hub. Many farmers in nearby towns like Satara also grow fruits like grapes and pomegranates in addition to other crops. Their crops can be easily transported to other states and countries worldwide thanks to the new airport and cutting-edge cargo. The state will benefit significantly financially from a good cargo hub because exports can be handled easily. Additionally, it will generate numerous job opportunities.
There will be six different ways to get to the new airport, including national highways 48 and 65. Major industrial estates will be connected to the proposed airport from Hadapsar by a unique ring road.
