New airport: Maharashtra government pacifies farmers ahead of PM Modi visit

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Panvel on February 18 to lay the foundation stone for the upcoming International Navi Mumbai Airport site, Maharashtra government temporarily pacified the agitating farmers by agreeing to most of their demands.

The farmers, whose lands will be acquired for the construction of the airport, declared that they called off their protest temporarily. "Now, we will decide our next course of actions after the PM visit," said Vijay Shirdonkar, leader of affected farmers in Navi Mumbai.

He said that they were not against the airport, but their demands have to be met. A total 3,500 families from ten villages are going to be displaced for the airport. These villages are Ulwe, Kombaruje, Targar, Ganeshpuri, Wagholi, Varche Hohale, Kolhi, Koyar and Wagholi wada.

Shirdonkar said, "We are getting plots that are three times the size of our existing plots. We also have been promised jobs in the airport. The government is also giving 1,000 sq m land and Rs 1 crore for construction of a temple. In addition, they are also allotting one acre land for school constructions and another acre for playground development," he said. Shirdonkar, however, added that they had demanded Rs 1,800 per sq ft for constructing their houses while the government is offering Rs 1,500 per sq ft.

"Unless and until the basic facilities are provided, we will not leave our current villages," said another farmer.

"We are ready to give time to CIDCO, but they should stick with its word. We would be happy to welcome the PM in our traditional Koli way to our villages. But local police is threatening to put us behind bar fearing that we may protest," he said.

Shirdonkar said, if the demands are not fulfilled after the PM's visit, "We will start agitation and oppose the development of an airport."

CONSTRUCTION

• Around 3,500 families from 10 villages are set to be displaced for constructing the airport. 
   
• Farmers called off protest as state makes effort before PM’s February 18 visit. 
   
• CIDCO MD Bhushan Gagrani said that the first runway will be constructed by 2019.