Pune: Purandar Airport to Accelerate in 2025 After Maharashtra CM’s Review and Action Plan

Pune Purandar Airport to Accelerate in 2025 After Maharashtra CM’s Review and Action Plan

Pune: Purandar Airport to Accelerate in 2025 After Maharashtra CM’s Review and Action Plan

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The long-awaited Purandar airport project is set to gain momentum after a thorough review meeting led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The meeting, held by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) board, aimed to address critical issues related to the ambitious project, such as land acquisition and funding.

Just 20 days after taking office, CM Fadnavis conducted a detailed evaluation of the project’s status and instructed officials to tackle outstanding challenges. He stressed the importance of accelerating infrastructure development throughout the state, including improvements to roads, waterways, and air travel, with substantial backing from both the State and Central Governments.

The planned international airport in Purandar taluka will require 2,832 hectares of land across seven villages: Pargaon, Munjawadi, Khanvadi, Udachiwadi, Vanpuri, Ekhatpur, and Kumbharvalan. The estimated cost for land acquisition alone is ₹5,000 crore. However, it remains unclear whether the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) or the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) will handle the land acquisition and compensation for the affected villagers.

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The Purandar airport project has already secured approvals from the Central Government, the State Government, the Airport Authority of India (AAI), and the Ministry of Defense. However, the project has encountered delays due to ongoing issues, particularly a repeated demand from the Army to close Pune’s existing Lohegaon Airport for civilian flights once the new airport is operational.

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This condition was initially set during the project’s approval process but was later lifted. It has now been reinstated by the Army. The State Government has strongly opposed the closure of Lohegaon Airport for civilian operations and has urged the Ministry of Defense to remove this condition to prevent further delays.

The airport project was last evaluated before the model code of conduct was implemented for the Assembly Elections, but procedural obstacles hindered the start of work. With renewed attention under CM Fadnavis, stakeholders are optimistic that 2025 will bring significant advancements in making Purandar Airport a reality.

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