Pune: The district administration is set to introduce financial safeguards, including counselling centres and financial help desks, to safeguard Purandar villagers from impulsive spending and financial mismanagement following multi-crore payouts for airport land acquisition.Officials said discussions were under way with banks to extend support for the initiative. The authorities are also considering transferring compensation amounts directly in the names of women in the households to encourage financial responsibility. “It’s essential to ensure that landowners don’t squander their compensation on luxury vehicles or gambling, which is a common occurrence in villages following sudden financial windfalls,” district collector Jitendra Dudi told TOI.He said the actual process of land transfer and compensation disbursement was likely to begin in Nov, with land surveys and measurements expected to conclude within 25 days. “To promote prudent financial planning during the Purandar airport land acquisition, we are setting up counselling centres to advise landowners on smart investment choices to secure their long-term future, rather than encourage short-term spending,” the collector said.The administration is also considering skill development training to support families in transitioning to alternative livelihoods, particularly those moving away from agriculture.Survey begins without any hiccupsThe land measurement and survey work for the proposed airport has commenced. On the first day, about 50 hectares were surveyed across the villages of Ekhatpur, Munjawadi and Udaichiwadi, with full cooperation from both villagers and govt agencies. “Five survey teams are on the ground using rover machines to ensure precise measurements,” Dudi said. “We’ve already secured 94% consent from landowners, which is a highly encouraging development. This progress is the result of nearly 100 hours of meetings and discussions with the local community,” the collector said, adding the survey of about 600 hectares had been completed so far. “The total land required for the project is 1,285 hectares,” he said.Compensation frameworkThe officials said landowners would receive four times the current market value of their land. Besides, 10% developed land in the upcoming Aerocity will be returned to those who give consent. “For farmers owning less than 2.5 acres, the administration will provide adjacent plots to allow land pooling and facilitate joint ventures under MIDC rules. This is a win-win situation,” Dudi said.The authorities have cited successful precedents in previous projects like the Malin landslide compensation and SEZ land acquisitions, where financial guidance help desks were set up to assist affected families with both monetary aid and employment support. Similar mechanisms may be implemented for the upcoming Pune ring road projects, the officials said.Initiative commendable, but villagers cautiousFarmers have welcomed the administration’s initiative, saying it will help ensure the funds are invested sensibly. Ramdas Memane, a farmer from Pargaon who is ready to part with 8 acres for the project, said, “The administration’s extra efforts will certainly be beneficial. I intend to use the compensation to purchase land in another village.” Memane, who also manages a poultry and custard apple farm, said the counselling sessions would encourage farmers to adopt a long-term perspective. “This will be advantageous for all of us, especially since over 90% of the farmers have already given their consent,” he told TOI.Kailas Pandurang Kumbharkar from Udachiwadi, who is set to give up 22 acres, said his family has already decided to reinvest the compensation in another location. “Although the administration will provide guidance, we’ve resolved not to spend the money on vehicles or other non-productive assets,” he said. Many farmers are also considering having the compensation cheques issued in their wives’ names or transferred directly to their bank accounts. But, not everyone is ready to commit. “Till govt provides full clarity, it’s better to wait. There’s no point in making big plans just yet,” a farmer said.
