Cidco claims it has started giving developed plots to affected people

The firm has been offering 22.5% developed plots as compensation to those whose land has been acquired

The transfer of 22.5 per cent developed land back to those affected by the Navi Mumbai International Airport, especially from 10 villages, is gathering a momentum.

Of the 950 project-affected persons (PAPs), the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), the nodal agency for the airport project, has handed over developed land to 23 persons after reaching an agreement last week.

The firm has been offering 22.5 per cent developed plots as compensation to those whose land has been acquired for the airport project. The developed land is made available in the upcoming Pushpaknagar smart city developed by Cidco.

Cidco hopes to expedite the acquisition of 671 hectares of land from these villagers as it comes in the aeronautical zone. About 1,175 hectares are already in Cidco's possession. It proposes to complete transfer of developed land to all 950 villagers by October-end.

A Cidco official told Business Standard: “The 22.5 per cent developed land is being handed over according to the land acquisition procedure approved by the state government. Under the rehabilitation policy, PAPs are entitled to keep or sell the 22.5 per cent developed land. However, Cidco is advising villagers not to show any haste in selling developed land as it could fetch better prices in the future. As on date, the developed land can fetch Rs 50 lakh an acre, which could double once the first phase of the airport is commissioned by December 2019.”

Besides, there are 3,500 houses from these 10 villages which will be shifted to the nearby area. Cidco has already identified Vadghar and Vahal, where they will be shifted.

According to the Cidco official cited above, three short-listed bidders comprising GVK, GMR and a consortium of Tata Realty and MIA Infra are expected to submit request for proposal for the airport project by September-end or early October.

Cidco hopes to award the contract by December to kick-start airport development.