Cracks have emerged among the Navi Mumbai project as a group of villagers has raised their voices against the Maharashtra Government, who is offering them a compensation of 22.5 percent of the allocated developed land. However, the villagers have a different demand—they are now seeking 35 percent in monetary damages, translating to approximately Rs 6.25 crore per hectare. This unexpected demand has caught both state government officials and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) off guard.
Farmers from five villages—Pargaon, Dungi, Kohli, Ovla, and Upper Ovla—are taking a stand, representing part of the ten villages from a total of 671 hectares earmarked for acquisition by CIDCO for the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport project.
The villagers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s offer, insisting on 35 percent monetary damages along with an extra 50 percent job reservation for those affected by the multi-crore project. They plan to convene shortly to formulate a roadmap for their protest, and if necessary, will escalate the situation by taking their concerns to New Delhi.
The discontent arises just as the state government announced it had reached an agreement with the farmers regarding a compensation package of 22.5 percent of developed land, along with promises of housing land.
CIDCO officials are expected to meet with the villagers soon in an effort to quell their protests and pave the way for the commencement of airport construction. The Maharashtra Government, along with CIDCO, is hopeful that the villagers will grasp the offer and ultimately retract their opposition to the project.