DEMAND FOR CHANGE OF SITE OF THE SECOND AIRPORT IN PUNE IN MAHARASHTRA 

22 March 2005 

SHRI SHARAD ANANTRAO JOSHI (MAHARASHTRA): Thank you, Mr Chairman. My special mention refers to the construction of second airport for Pune city near Chakan at its highly unsuitable site that would present a threat to the potential air traffic. The Government of India has decided to construct a new international airport for Pune in the vicinity of the township of Chakan. 

The proposed construction of the said airport involves displacement of a large number of villagers from the village of Ambethan, including the whole community of farmers who have already been once displaced on account of the construction of the Pawana Dam only 30 years back. 

The site of the proposed airport is in close vicinity of some sacred and historic monuments associated with the great saint Tukaram and requires cutting down of large tracts of forests on the Western slopes of Sahyadris. The site chosen for the airport is such that it involves massive earthwork for levelling hills and for filling up the ravines. The plot of land of about 7000 hectares, which was earmarked for acquisition for the development of an industrial estate (MIDC, Chakan Phase-II), which was denotified later on and remains unused till date. 

The farmers of the land, previously earmarked for acquisition, are unwilling to make the land available for the construction of the airport. The site now proposed for the airport includes some agricultural land that has been brought under well irrigation by farmers at a great cost and effort. The construction of the proposed mainstream kisan movement in the country. 

I, therefore, demand that the Government should review the decision regarding the construction of a second airport for Pune, at Chakan, and choose a new site that would be more suitable for the construction and less subject to opposition and resentment from farmers. Thank you, Sir.

(Ends)