PAPs' threat holds up Boeing taxiway work.

NAGPUR: Mihan-SEZ is facing a blackout for the last three days following the shutting down of Abhijeet Group's power plant. But this is not the only problem hindering the project's progress. A threat by project affected persons (PAPs) has stalled work for the Rs80 crore taxiway, connecting Boeing's maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) depot with the airport, for close to six months. The $100 million depot by Boeing is a much-hyped project in Mihan-SEZ with even its developer - Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) - using the name to attract investors.

However, the work on a patch of the 2km taxiway was stalled after a group of PAPs from Shivangaon landed at the site scaring away workers on November 1, 2103. MADC admitted that construction on a 200-meter patch has been stopped. But after November, the blockade has not even been symbolic as PAPs have long vacated the site. But, neither the MADC nor the private contractor restarted the construction work. This has pushed the work nearly a year beyond its schedule.

Baba Dawre, the leader of PAPs, claimed that even as the villagers may not be present, they can return if the work resumes. Dawre had forced the agency to stop the construction in 2011-end also. At the time, the demand was to rehabilitate PAPs at a new site and offer 12.5% of developed land in proportion of the land acquired. Though these demands have been met, Dawre and his group have now blocked the work with new demands. Now, he mainly wants that the new homes offered under rehabilitation plan should go to only those occupying homesteads in the village.

However, since the compensation has been awarded in the name of the entire family, disputes have broken out among siblings who have left the village and those still living there. The latter are staking the claim on the grounds that it is they who will be losing their homes, said Dawre. But, MADC says the names of present occupant are not in the records because the villagers did not pay the property tax since three decades, without which the updating cannot be done.

On the dispute, MADC officials say it wants a peaceful solution to the imbroglio and so it will not use force against PAPs. MADC's vice-chairman-cum-managing director Tanaji Satre refused to comment on the issue citing election code of conduct.

The taxiway was needed for the aircraft to drive down to the MRO after landing at Nagpur. Sources in the MADC say the MRO, which was earlier delayed by a few months, is now nearing completion. Most of the electronic and mechanical work is complete and the testing of systems is under way. But, the MRO cannot be functional if the taxiway linking it with the airport is not ready.

LANDING IN TROUBLE

Work for $100 million is nearing completion but it cannot be functional if the taxiway is not ready

The work on a patch of 2km taxiway was stalled after PAPs from Shivangaon scared away workers on Nov 1, 2103

The PAPs want the new homes offered under rehabilitation plan to go to only those occupying homesteads in the village

Since the compensation has been awarded in the name of the entire family, disputes have broken out among siblings

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com