Cidco hopes to wrap up land acquisition for airport soon

The Maharashtra government's City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), which is developing the second airport for Mumbai, is confident of completing the process of land acquisition within the next four to five months.

Speaking to Business Standard, Deepak Kapoor, joint managing director of Cidco, said, "Of the 1,142 hectares land required for the project, 56 per cent is already in Cidco's possession, and around 22 per cent in the area is owned by various government agencies. The remaining 22 per cent needs to be acquired. We are confident it will be completed within next four to five months."

Around 3,500 families, ie roughly 17,000-18,000 persons from seven villages, will get affected due to the airport project.

However, since the villagers have already seen the benefits of industrialisation and urbanisation in the Navi Mumbai area, their approach was always positive, he said, adding, "They never opposed the idea of land acquisition. Their only demand is just compensation."

"We have also assured them that there won't be any forcible acquisition and the compensation package will be prepared taking into consideration the needs of the local population," he said.

Cidco has involved local MLAs and members of the Panchyat Samiti in the negotiation process.

"We have submitted them a draft copy of the compensation package, which these villagers will discuss among themselves and come to us with their suggestions. We will try to incorporate as many suggestions as possible," he said.

The corporation is hoping to complete the negotiations in a month.

The detailed project report is expected to be ready in the next seven to eight months and by the end of this year, Cidco would be in a position to invite global bids for the project. The corporation wants the airport to become operational by 2012.