Airport project hangs in balance

The Multimodal International Hub Airport At Nagpur (MIHAN) is facing problems in the acquisition of required land as villagers are opposing the rehabilitation plan.

In a meeting held at Mantralaya on Thursday, the government decided to accelerate the process of land acquisition by resolving contentious issues with the villagers.

“Nearly 200 families from Khapa village have been opposing the rehabilitation plan as their houses are not registered with the land record department. A deputy secretary has been asked to hold meetings with parties concerned to resolve the problem,” said an official from the Chief Minister Office.

The meeting, headed by CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, was attended, by Urban Development Principal Secretary Ramanand Tiwari, Finance Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar, Special Project secretary Sanjay Ubale and others.

The State-promoted Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation is developing a modern airport, a captive power plant, a health city, road and rail terminals, an international school and a residential area of 3600 hectares. The project requires 10,652 acre whereas only 52 acre has been acquired so far. Moreover, the Centre is yet to decide on the transfer of assets of Nagpur Airport under the Airport Authority of India to the state.

“The affected families are being given Rs 2 lakh and a new house as part of the rehabilitation package,” said an official. The project was initiated by passing a special resolution in the state assembly.