Project-hit want Ulwe land, not Pushpak Nagar :Hindustan Times

CBD BELAPUR: The airport projectaffected people (PAP) of Vahal are upset with City and Industrial Development Cor poration (Cidco) for giving them compensation land in Pushpak Nagar instead of Ulwe. The PAP will get the developed 22.5% land which is part of the compensation package in lieu of the land acquired. Cidco is developing Pushpak Nagar for the airport PAP but the Vahal villagers had demanded land in Ulwe.

Cidco has reportedly taken a positive stand on the issue. The proposal has been sent to Cidco managing director, Sanjay Bhatia. A final decision on the issue is expected to be taken soon, say Cidco sources.

The airport project is coming up on 2054 hectares (ha) of land comprising 18 villages.

Of this, 1,615 ha is for the airport and the rest 439 ha for other basic facilities.

Cidco had acquired 1,154 ha of land from private owners and 188 ha out of 439 ha under government jurisdiction, around three years ago. Now, it is acquiring 457 ha of private land for the airport project.

It has planned to rehabilitate the PAP in Sector 24, 25 and 25a. Cidco has also promised 22.5% land to those from whom land has been acquired for the airport project.

The Vahal villagers had asked for rehabilitation in Ulwe. However, following the draw conducted by Cidco for allotment of the 22.5% land, some farmers from Vahal were allotted land in Pushpak Nagar. This upset the villagers, who decided not to take the land allotted to them.

A gram sabha meeting was held in the presence of APMC chairman, Rajendra Patil and Vahal sarpanch, Ravi Patil, a few months ago. The villagers had voiced their opposition to Cidco’s policy.

Rajendra Patil said: “We want to be rehabilitated in Ulwe only. Cidco should give us land in that node or we won’t allow land filling work in Vahal area.”

The villagers had met Cidco’s chief engineer, Sanjay Choudhary and explained to him the stance of those affected by the rehabilitation process. Choudhary discussed the issue with the delegation. The villagers said that he accepted that their demand as just.