Villages challenge NAINA project in Bombay High Court

Opposition is growing against the Navi Mumbai International Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project. This planned city will cover 225.59 square kilometers and include 94 villages near the new airport. The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is in charge of the project. Recently, five villages from the Chipale Group Panchayat in Panvel filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court. They want to cancel the NAINA project. This petition is the first legal challenge against the development plan. It was filed by Vilas Phadke, a local resident, on behalf of the villages of Chipale, Vihighar, Bhokarpada, Bonshet, and Koproli. Phadke and supporters say the project is a “land grabbing scheme.” They have been protesting this project for more than ten years. Residents in all 23 villages have voted against NAINA. They want land acquisition to follow laws from the 2013 Land Acquisition Act or for their villages to be included in the Panvel Municipal Corporation. The petition claims that NAINA violates the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act and the 73rd Amendment, which supports local governance. Phadke argues that the project serves the interests of builders while harming local farmers. Concerns have also been raised about potential demolitions. Villager Sudhakar Patil highlighted that some homes could be marked as illegal constructions. Families built homes on agricultural land due to the lack of other options. They now face pressures from CIDCO, which has restricted building permissions. In light of this legal action, the state government recently promised that no steps would be taken in the NAINA area without consulting the community. A meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is coming soon. Industries Minister Uday Samant stated that CIDCO would engage with local leaders and affected residents before moving forward. Shinde also noted that there are no plans to demolish 5,038 homes as claimed.