PUNE: As the state exchequer is already committed to various welfare schemes, including Ladki Bahin Yojana, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) may not approach the govt for funds for the Purandar airport project, officials from the industries department told TOI on Thursday.
MIDC officials said they are instead contemplating reaching out to banking consortiums, private financial institutions, and public sector undertakings specialising in housing finance and infrastructure project finance.
The cost of purchasing 2,832 hectares, required for the proposed airport, in seven villages is estimated between Rs6,000crore and Rs8,000crore.
“There will be no additional burden on the exchequer as we are exploring all options. We are a corporation and we are not likely to seek funds from the state govt,” an MIDC official said, adding a final call will be taken soon.
The corporation, appointed as the nodal agency by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at a meeting last week, is expected to issue a notification on land acquisition next month. “It should be out by the end of Feb,” the official said.
Officials from the district administration, who will assist MIDC in obtaining land, said they are yet to receive any directions in this regard. “As of now, we have been told that MIDC will first issue a notification and will then go ahead with the acquisition as per the MIDC Act provisions,” a senior district official said.
The chief minister also directed MIDC to ensure that the detailed project report be submitted in Sept, the corporation official added.
Union minister of state for civil aviation Muralidhar Mohol, who also attended the meeting, said later that Pune and its surrounding ares were developing rapidly while the number of air passengers and air traffic was increasing. “Against this backdrop, the current airport in Pune is well-equipped with modern amenities. Still, considering the future of the city, the target is to complete the proposed Purandar airport soon.”
The govt aims to make the international airport operational by March 2029.
