The administration has temporarily suspended the ongoing land survey and joint counting process for the proposed international airport project in seven villages of Purandar taluka due to tense protests. On Saturday, tension escalated at Kumbharvalan, resulting in violent incidents, in which some villagers and police were injured and an 87-year-old woman died. In this backdrop, the police said that they resorted to mild lathicharge.
Local villagers have strongly opposed the acquisition of 2,832 hectares of land in villages like Pargaon Memane, Ekhatpur, Kumbharvalan, etc. They are demanding proper compensation and clarity. There are differences between the administration and the locals regarding the death of the deceased woman.
There have also been reactions at the political level, with BJP, Nationalist Congress Party and other leaders reacting strongly to this. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has emphasized the need for the project. However, the villagers have warned of going to court and the intensity of the conflict is increasing.
