Why Purandar Farmers Believe Rs 1 Crore Is Just the Starting Point, Not the End

The Pune district administration has proposed Rs 1 crore per acre plus double compensation for onsite assets like houses, borewells, trees, and pipelines to farmers whose land is acquired for the Purandar International Airport. Additionally, 10% of the acquired land area will be allocated back to the farmers as developed plots in industrial, commercial, residential, or mixed-use zones.

Despite this, farmer representatives from villages including Ekhatpur, Khanwadi, Munjawadi, Pargaon, Udachiwadi, Vanpuri, and Kumbharwalan have rejected the offer as insufficient. They reference higher compensations from projects like Samruddhi Mahamarg and demand that rates be increased to at least five times the government’s ready reckoner rate.

The administration has assured adherence to the 2013 Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, emphasizing transparency and fair compensation. Collector Jitendra Dudi indicated efforts to hold detailed discussions with farmers in each village to address concerns and finalize equitable compensation.

Key Highlights:

Government offers Rs 1 crore per acre with double asset compensation for Purandar Airport land acquisition

Proposal includes 10% developed land return in industrial, commercial, or residential zones

Farmers demand increase to five times the ready reckoner rate citing market comparables

Valuation of assets and developed land allotment processes remain points of discussion

Land from seven villages targeted: Ekhatpur, Khanwadi, Munjawadi, Pargaon, Udachiwadi, Vanpuri, Kumbharwalan

Administration commits to fair compensation under 2013 Land Acquisition Act norms

Farmers seek repeat village-level meetings before finalizing compensation agreements

Sources: The Indian Express, Times of India, Pune Mirror, Lokmat, Sakal