The proposed Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje International Airport at Purandar near Pune has reached a major milestone as the Maharashtra government finalized compensation rates for land acquisition across seven villages in the region. More than 6,500 families are expected to benefit from the compensation package, with some landowners likely to receive close to ₹2 crore per acre.
The ambitious airport project is expected to become Pune’s second international airport and a major economic catalyst for western Maharashtra.
Compensation Fixed At ₹1.61 Crore Per Acre
According to officials, the base compensation rate for acquired land has been fixed at approximately ₹1.61 crore per acre. However, the actual payout for many farmers may rise further after including compensation for:
- Houses and structures
- Fruit trees
- Wells and borewells
- Pipelines and irrigation systems
- Sheds and farm infrastructure
Authorities stated that many landowners could ultimately receive around ₹2 crore per acre on average once all additional assets are evaluated.
Seven Villages To Be Affected
The airport project will require acquisition of nearly 1,216 hectares of land spread across seven villages in Purandar taluka:
- Vanpuri
- It’s true
- Kumbharvalan
- Ekhatpur
- Pargaon
- Munjvadi
- Khanwadi
Officials said around 1,300 survey numbers are involved in the acquisition process. The administration has formed dedicated teams to handle documentation and compensation distribution in each village.
Extra Benefits Beyond Cash Compensation
Apart from direct land compensation, the government has announced several rehabilitation and support measures for affected families. These reportedly include:
- 10% developed land return to farmers
- Employment opportunities linked to the airport project
- Additional plots for displaced households
- Compensation for fruit trees and forest trees
- Wage support for landless labourers and marginal farmers
The administration has also partnered with the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics to help villagers with financial planning and investment guidance, as many families may suddenly receive very large payouts.
Farmers Still Have Concerns
Despite the high compensation package, not all farmers are fully satisfied. Some landowners reportedly believe the rates are lower than compensation offered in earlier infrastructure projects around Pune.
Farmers from villages like Pargaon and Kumbhar Valan have argued that the land is fertile agricultural land and deserves even higher valuation. However, officials maintain that the compensation formula is final and uniform across all affected villages.
Why Purandar Airport Matters
The Purandar airport project is being planned as Pune’s future international aviation hub because the existing Lohegaon Airport faces operational and expansion limitations due to military usage.
The project is expected to:
- Boost Pune’s international connectivity
- Create jobs and business opportunities
- Drive logistics and warehousing growth
- Increase real estate and industrial development
- Improve regional infrastructure
The state government is also simultaneously working on major road connectivity projects linking the proposed airport to Pune city and surrounding regions.
Work May Begin Soon
Officials have asked landowners to submit consent documents and related paperwork before the June 10 deadline. The administration reportedly aims to begin major project work by late 2026 after completing initial land acquisition phases.
If completed on schedule, the Purandar International Airport could become one of Maharashtra’s largest infrastructure projects and significantly reshape Pune’s long-term economic growth trajectory.
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