Pune: The development of Purandar Airport, a long-awaited project, is expected to accelerate in the new year following a recent review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) board of directors convened to discuss the progress of the proposed international airport in Purandar taluka.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the project’s current status and discussed actionable steps to resolve key challenges.

Proposed Land Acquisition and Project Details:

• The proposed site for the international airport spans seven villages in Purandar taluka: Pargaon, Munjvadi, Khanwadi, Udachiwadi, Vanpuri, Ekhatpur, and Kumbharvalan.

• A total of 2,832 hectares of land will be required for the project.

• The estimated cost for land acquisition is ₹5,000 crore.

• The airport project has received approvals from the Central Government, State Government, Airport Authority of India, and the Ministry of Defense.

Pending Decisions and Challenges:

• Clarity is yet to be achieved on which agency—MADC or MIDC—will handle land acquisition and what compensation will be provided to landowners.

• The defense authorities have reintroduced a condition to close Pune’s Lohegaon Airport for civilian flights once Purandar Airport becomes operational, a stipulation previously removed. The state government has opposed this condition and requested its removal.

The Purandar Airport is part of Maharashtra's larger infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting connectivity through enhanced road, water, and air transportation networks. The state government is committed to supporting these developments alongside the Central Government.

Despite the progress, unresolved issues like compensation for land acquisition and the defense-related conditions have delayed the project. However, officials expressed optimism about resolving these challenges soon to ensure the timely commencement of work.