The Chakan International Airport in Pune district has taken that baby step towards take-off. The Union ministry of civil aviation has sanctioned Rs200 crore for the airport, which will now come up on a 700-hectare site adjacent to the one earlier proposed.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

An 18-km-long metro rail line has also been proposed to link the airport to an international exhibition centre at Moshi, said Pune divisional commissioner Dilip Band at a press conference on Thursday at the Pimpri-Chinchwad New Township Development Authority (PCNTDA) office in Nigdi. With a parking facility for 10,000 cars at the centre, travellers can park there and take a ride in the metro to the Chakan airport.

The cost of building the metro will be borne by the PCNTDA and the Airports Authority of India. PCNTDA will put out a special purpose vehicle for this purpose.

Band said the architectural firm that will be plan the centre will make its presentation on November 29 and immediately after, tenders will be called for the project.

"The plan to build the airport at the old site was scrapped due to farmers' opposition. But, at the new site, there is no such big hurdle, as only 80 families will have to be rehabilitated. This issue will soon be sorted out. The government will offer a better deal to these 80 house owners because the project is extremely important for Pune city," explained Band.

Band is set to retire on November 30. But before he steps out, he reportedly wants to clear the tendering process for the international airport, the exhibition centre at Moshi and the sector 12 housing project at Nigdi.

He clarified that he has not sent any application to the state government to extend his term. He desires to work for farmers' welfare after retirement.

 "I am basically a farmer. I know that farmers work very hard, but they do not receive their due benefit. So, I want to work for them. I will settle down in Pune city only."