Pargaon Residents Hold Gram Sabha to Oppose Purandar Airport Land Acquisition
The proposed Purandar International Airport in Maharashtra is facing increasing resistance from Pargaon villagers, who are set to lose a large portion of their land. The Maharashtra government recently issued a land acquisition notification for seven villages in Purandar tehsil, with Pargaon contributing the most land. In response, residents have mobilized against the move and have scheduled a special gram sabha (village meeting) on March 21 to discuss their next steps.
Concerns Over Land Loss and Livelihoods
Residents fear that the airport project will disrupt their livelihoods and community. They are demanding fair compensation and transparency in the land acquisition process. A notice issued by the village authorities states:
“A special gram sabha for the gram panchayat of Pargaon will be held on Friday, March 21, at 9 AM at the Bhairavnath Sabha Mandap, chaired by the sarpanch. Villagers are urged to attend on time to discuss the primary issue: opposition to the international airport project. Other matters may be raised with the chairman’s permission.”
Largest Land Acquisition in Pargaon
The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is acquiring 2,753 hectares across seven villages: Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Kumbharvalan, Ekhatpur, Munjavadi, Khanavdi, and Pargaon. Among them, Pargaon has the highest share, with 1,605 land survey numbers covering 1,014.507 hectares. In contrast, Ekhatpur has the least survey numbers (146), while Munjavadi has the smallest land acquisition area (129.323 hectares).
Government Push for the Airport Project
The Purandar International Airport was first announced in 2018, but progress stalled due to land speculation and uncertainties. The recent land acquisition notification aims to expedite the project, with the detailed project report (DPR) expected by September 2025. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed MIDC to accelerate land acquisition, targeting airport operations to begin by March 2029.
Villagers Divided Over the Project
While some residents are willing to sell their land for a fair price, others strongly oppose the acquisition. “We have convened the gram sabha to decide our stance. Some villagers are open to selling, while others are firmly against it. We will make a collective decision on how to proceed,” said Pandurang Memane, a Pargaon resident.
With tensions rising, the gram sabha is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the villagers’ resistance against the airport project.
