Pune: Bawankule Calls For Dialogue As Farmers Protest Purandar Airport Land Acquisition
Pune: Bawankule Calls For Dialogue As Farmers Protest Purandar Airport Land Acquisition
Amid escalating protests over the proposed Purandar International Airport, Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has urged farmers and villagers to engage in dialogue, assuring them that their concerns will be heard and addressed.
Speaking at a press conference in Pune, Bawankule acknowledged the tensions surrounding land acquisition and said that infrastructure development, including the airport, sometimes requires such steps. He urged affected residents to reach out directly to him or other senior leaders, including deputy chief ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, for solutions regarding compensation, job opportunities, or other grievances. He also expressed willingness to facilitate a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, if necessary.
Bawankule condemned the recent violence, including police lathicharge and reports of a farmer’s death, calling the events unfortunate and avoidable.
Protests intensified over the weekend as villagers opposed drone surveys in seven identified villages. Clashes resulted in injuries to over 25 police personnel and several villagers. The district administration has temporarily suspended surveys but plans to resume within days.
The project, first proposed in 2016, involves acquiring nearly 2,823 hectares. Despite assurances of compensation at five times the ready reckoner rate, concerns about displacement and environmental impact persist, with over 1,500 objections submitted so far.
