Nagpur air project land acquisition terms 'unfair'

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government’s ambitious multi-modal international cargo hub and airport project (MIHAN) in Nagpur has hit an air pocket. A three-member team of the Congress has called the terms of the land acquisition “unfair” and asked for higher prices to be paid.

The MIHAN project, expected to cost more than Rs 3,000 crore, consists of widening and extending the present runway to international standards (4,000m x 60m) with a provision to pave a similar runway in future. The airport will have parking space for 50 aircraft with 50 additional bays along the fringes. The project features an aircraft engineering and maintenance base, which is likely to be set up by Boeing. There will also be a special economic zone (SEZ) to come up adjacent to the airport.

The government has formed a special purpose vehicle, Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), to implement the plan. An international consortium led by L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers has been roped in for the techno-economic study. The business plan for the MIHAN-SEZ has been prepared by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick India Pvt.

But like many other mega projects across India, this one too has seen violent protests over land acquisition. The government wants to acquire more than 4,025 hectares, including 1,475 hectares for the said SEZ. But five years have gone by, but the acquisition stands at less than 2,000 hectares. “The acquisition for remaining land would be done on a priority basis,” the MADC said.

Apprehending further trouble, the Congress swung into action by sending a ‘fact-finding’ panel following bloody protests over land acquisition. The group, on its return, called on chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Saturday and submitted its report.

According to sources, the committee’s take is the price offered to the villagers in return for their lands was just not enough. The government has paid them a few lakhs of rupees per acre whereas the prices are much higher. In many villages, the panel observed, it’s the small-and medium-sized entrepreneurship that would bear the brunt of the land takeover.

It has recommended setting up a committee, including non-governmental organisations, to oversee the land acquisition process. “Inclusion of non-government officials or NGOs will ensure smooth transaction and can help avoid ill feelings towards the government,” it said.