Purandar Airport Status 2026: 76% Land in Hand, Last 40 Hectares to Be Acquired Compulsorily; What Comes Next for Pune’s New Airport
Pune’s new airport at Purandar has 76% of its 1,216 hectares in hand. The Collector will acquire the last 40 hectares compulsorily. Where the project stands.
Photo: Sreedit / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 3rd November 2026: Land acquisition for Pune’s new international airport at Purandar is in its final stretch. The district administration has possession of about 76% of the 1,216 hectares needed, about 96% of landowners have given consent, and Collector Jitendra Dudi has said the last roughly 40 hectares will be acquired compulsorily.
The project, named Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, has been talked about for a decade. Here is where it actually stands.
The numbers so far
| Item | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Land required | 1,216 hectares (about 3,000 acres) in seven villages of Purandar taluka |
| Land in possession | About 76% |
| Landowners who consented | About 96% |
| Compensation rate | ₹1.61 crore per acre, plus separate payment for trees, wells and structures |
| Amount already paid | About ₹4,000 crore credited to farmers’ bank accounts |
| Land still disputed | About 40 hectares, mainly in Pargaon |
The villages named in reports include Kumbharvalan, Vanpuri, Ekhatpur, Munjawadi, Khanwadi and Pargaon.
Why compulsory acquisition now
The administration extended the deadline for consent letters more than once; the last date was 10 October. A group of farmers, mostly from Pargaon, did not sign. Some went to the Bombay High Court, and the Collector said the court ruled in the government’s favour.
Landowners whose land is taken compulsorily will still get compensation, but not the extra benefits offered to those who agreed voluntarily, such as a 10% developed plot. The Collector told reporters the remaining acquisition should be done within about a month.
Who is building the airport
The airport is being developed through a special purpose company in which CIDCO holds the largest share, with the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), MIDC and PMRDA as the other partners. The plan published earlier includes two long runways and a dedicated cargo terminal.
When will it open?
No official opening date has been announced. Earlier reports said the Chief Minister wanted construction to begin in December 2026, but tenders, environmental approvals and the construction schedule are yet to be made public. Any opening year you see quoted online is a guess until the developer announces a timeline.
Why Pune needs it
Pune’s current airport at Lohegaon shares its runway with the Indian Air Force, which limits slots, night operations and expansion. A second, civilian airport would add capacity for passengers and cargo, especially for industry in Chakan, Ranjangaon and the Pune-Solapur and Pune-Satara belts.
Road links to Purandar are also on the planning table. Read our update on the Pune Ring Road, which will connect to the highways around the airport site, and see more Pune news.
We will update this article as the acquisition and construction move ahead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the status of Purandar airport in 2026?
As of late October 2026, about 76% of the 1,216 hectares has been acquired and the last 40 hectares will be acquired compulsorily. Construction has not started.
How much compensation are Purandar airport farmers getting?
The state fixed ₹1.61 crore per acre, plus separate payment for trees, wells and structures. About ₹4,000 crore has been paid so far.
When will the new Pune airport at Purandar open?
No official opening date has been announced.
Which villages are part of the Purandar airport project?
Reports name Kumbharvalan, Vanpuri, Ekhatpur, Munjawadi, Khanwadi and Pargaon among the seven villages in Purandar taluka.
