MADC Starts Razing Structures in Shivangaon for Airport Expansion

With process of handing over the Nagpur airport to GMR gaining momentum, the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) has launched a drive to clear land in Shivangaon village to pave way for the proposed expansion work, which included construction of a second runway. The drive is expected to be completed within a month. According to MADC sources, the second runway will pass through Shivangaon. The residents were provided land as compensation at Chinchbhuvan in 2016-17. While many villagers shifted to the new place, several others continued to stay in the village. Some even rented out their dwelling units or allowed their kin to live in their place in Shivangaon.A parcel of 13 hectares is yet to be cleared of structures at Shivangaon. Hence, MADC has started razing these structures. "The homes have been identified and a cross mark has been put on the wall. All such houses with a cross mark will be demolished," the source said. As per the land swap agreement, the MADC will transfer around 288 hectares of land to the Indian Air Force (IAF), which will in turn vacate the land near the airport, for the proposed expansion work and construction of new facilities. A senior MADC official said the locals were given alternative land ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. For families with a newly-married son, an additional 500 square feet of land was allotted. To ensure hassle-free transfer of land, even the encroachers were allotted land. There was a cash component too. However, the locals alleged that the compensation was insufficient. "The package we got as compensation was not enough to rebuild the new homes," says Nakul Ambhore, a Shivangaon resident. As TOI moved around, there were mainly empty homes with a handful of villagers staying. "We have asked for a week to look for a rented home. My brother was allotted a plot but he could not build a new home," said Trishala Fulzele, in her late fifties. Meanwhile, as the homes were razed, the residents came with pickup vehicles to transport bricks and other fixtures, which they plan to use in building their new homes at Chinchbhuvan.