Khed Chakan belt should b e reconcidered for Pune airport project, MP to CM Devendra Fadnavis

The MP reasoned that the belt would be more feasible for industrialists and the air traffic.

“I agree that the survey has found Purandar land feasible for the airport, but what is the point of having an airport that would not see much air traffic. What about the economical viability as well as feasibility in terms of people using the airport?”questioned the MP.

He said that although there has been a 15-year delay, the sites were finalised in the area and the government had got in over 3 lakh crore investment to the Khed belt, giving the upcoming airport as the bait for the deals.

“This would be cheating the investors,” said the MP angrily, adding that he is writing a letter and meeting the CM in the coming week. He quashed the government statements saying that they had tried “enough” at the Khed area.

He said that there was the Special Economic Zone land and other areas, and said that the demand of 2,500 hectares was unheard of. “Even the Zurich international airport was constructed in 980 hectares. How is it that we require so much land?” he said.

He said that with the MIDC area and foreign investments coming in, it would be ideal for the airport in this area as it would be difficult for the industrialists to go to Purandar. He questioned the connectivity and said that people from PCMC and Chakan-Talegaon belt will hesitate to reach Purandar.

However, things at Purandar, especially in the villages—Pargaon Memane, Ikhatpur, Rajewadi, Waghapur — are welcoming the project. Water minister Vijay Shivtare has said that the people are more than willing to have the airport in the area which will see more investments.

Local resident Haribhau Memane is elated that the project has been finalised as the area will soon bring in more investments and opportunities to the localites who have to otherwise move to Pune city or Mumbai for jobs.

“If a good rehabilitation model is worked out then the people will be more than willing,” he said.

Interestingly, a feasibility study was carried out in Khed in 2013 where they had checked elements like route, wind pressure and soil studies, weather conditions and environment impact assessment.