Decks were cleared for the proposed airport in mineral rich Gadchiroli district, as Maharashtra Government has zeroed in on Chamorshi taluka on the banks of Wainganga river. Land in Mouza Mukhala, Pulkhal, Kaneri, is identified for acquisition for the ambitious project. Similarly, State also sanctioned an amount of Rs 104 crore for acquisition of about 311.81 Ha of private, forest and Government land. Meanwhile fast-tracking the decision making, Gadchiroli Collector has already transferred 31.38 Ha Government land to Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) free of cost for starting the preliminary work relating to construction of airport.

 

The nod for Chamorshi follows recommendation for the same by Airport Authority of India (AAI). State Government had forwarded three sites but aviation experts felt Chamorshi taluka, in Central-Western part of Gadchiroli, is most suitable. The taluka is located on Eastern bank of Wainganga river that flows ahead to merge with Pranhita river. The land in three villages namely Shirpur Chak, Guruvala and Hirapur is required and the bifurcation of private land is 245.75 Ha, 34.38 Ha forest land and 31.38 Ha Government land. For private land, a compensation of Rs 76.99 crore is finalised while for forest land Rs 10.07 crore is to be paid. The total outlay for the land acquisition also includes administration plus anticipated 10 per cent escalation owing to delay for which an amount of Rs 8.70 crore is kept aside. MADC had selected three probable sites for development of airport in Gadchroli as State is banking on large scale investment here post wiping out of red terror threat.

 

A store house of minerals, mainly iron ore of premium quality, Government want to push construction of new airport on fast track as same would cut down travel time for industry captains and their executives in future. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself is helming the district in capacity as Guardian Minister with ambitious plan for making it as next steel hub. Meanwhile, General Administration Department (GAD) has also said that Advisor for airport project has given approval to diversion of selected forest land, it is about 34.68 Ha. The site in Chamorshi was found most suitable owing to its central location in the district.

 

Already, Llyods Group is in process of setting string of plants relating to manufacturing of steel material in district. Thereafter, Jindal Group has also committed to setting up one of the mega steel project in Gadchiroli. State has already granted sanction to couple of other industrial projects and it is investing heavily to ready the necessary infrastructure on ground. Now that Naxal threat has almost ended in Gadchiroli, the precious iron ore is most sought after raw material by the industries. State is thus in a hurry to speed up development of airport as it holds key to unlocking the full potential of the district.