Pune: Sharad Pawar Offers to Mediate in Purandar Airport Dispute, Urges Dialogue with Farmers
Pune: Sharad Pawar Offers to Mediate in Purandar Airport Dispute, Urges Dialogue with Farmers
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has extended his support to the proposed Purandar international airport project while acknowledging the concerns of local farmers who are opposing the land acquisition. Speaking on Monday, Pawar emphasized the importance of reaching a consensus that balances development with the interests of the farming community.
Pawar revealed plans to convene a meeting with local representatives, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, and the Chief Minister in an attempt to find a viable solution. “The land has become fertile due to a lift irrigation scheme introduced during my tenure as chief minister. It now supports horticulture and sugarcane, so it’s understandable that farmers are reluctant to part with it,” he said.
On Sunday, villagers met Pawar in Pune to voice their grievances, which included inadequate compensation, environmental impact, and fears of displacement. According to one farmer, Pawar also reached out to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who serves as Pune’s guardian minister, to discuss the escalating tension.
The issue has intensified since a violent clash broke out on May 3 during drone surveys in the seven villages identified for the airport. Over 25 police personnel and several villagers were injured in the confrontation. In response, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule assured the villagers that the government is open to dialogue but reaffirmed that the decision to build the airport at Purandar stands firm.
Pawar expressed hope that dialogue would lead to an outcome that respects the value of the cultivated land and addresses farmers’ concerns.
