No question of using force to evict unwilling villagers: Lokesh Chandra

The vice-chairman and managing director of CIDCO, Lokesh Chandra, said the concerns of the 1,200 residents from the 10 villages that fall in the core airport project zone will be addressed through dialogue. He said that there was no question of using any force to evict them.

Chandra took charge of the development body earlier this month, knowing that one of the biggest challenges ahead of him was dissolving the protests by the project -affected people (PAP).

In conversation with DNA, the CIDCO chief stressed dialogue and discussion for resolution of problems.

How many villagers have given their consent till now for giving up their homes or plots for construction of the Navi Mumbai airport?

We can say that till now, around 40 per cent of the people have given their land. They were compensated accordingly. In many cases, the construction of their new homes has also started. Till the construction is complete, we are offering rent for 18 months so villagers can find temporary housing.

What if the project-affected people are not ready to give up their land?

Since the beginning, there has been no resistance from the affected villagers. There have been some demands, like more compensation, and we are working on it. The disputes will be addressed through dialogue. The question of eviction does not arise.

You are carrying out controlled blasting to level Ulwe hill. There have been instances about stones flying into villagers' homes and cracks developing on the walls of their houses.

The recent complaint is under investigation by the police. But let me assure you, experts are overseeing the activity. There are engineers and workers standing by when the blasting activity is underway for two hours daily. We are taking all safety measures and I have told everyone to be extra careful.

Various villagers and political groups are suggesting different names for them. Have you taken any decision on naming it.

I am not aware of this, but as far as we are concerned, there has been no decision so far on naming the Navi Mumbai international airport. The decision will be taken at a later stage. It will be the prerogative of the union civil aviation ministry and the union cabinet.

‘Looks Tough’ 

Civil aviation secretary RN Choubey, while speaking on the sidelines of the US-India aviation summit earlier this month, had said: “It will be difficult to have the airport ready by 2019 but we would like to make it happen.” However, the state government has been claiming that the first flight will take off by Dec 2019. 

What villagers get vs. what they want

• The state cabinet approved a proposal to give 22.5% of developed plots as compensation to affected land-holders. 
• The 3,000 households set to be pulled down will also get, other than the land, Rs 1,000 per sq foot to construct new homes. Rent for 18 months will be given to the people for transit housing. The monetary compensation will only be given to houses constructed before September 2013.  
• While 40 per cent of the 3,000 households have opted for compensation, the remaining 60 per cent are yet to vacate. 
• Some are demanding that instead of Rs 1,000 per sq ft, they should get Rs 2,000 per sq ft. They are also asking for basic facilities like  power and water supply, drainage lines.