The district administration has issued the initial notification for the land acquisition required for the runway expansion at Chikalthana Airport. The expansion, estimated to cost around Rs 5 billion, includes land acquisition charges for areas in Chikalthana, Murtizapur, and Mukundwadi. A total of 44 guts in Chikalthana, 4 in Murtizapur, and 8 in Mukundwadi will be acquired. The notification covers approximately 58 hectare of land, with a total of 143 hectare needed for the runway expansion. This marks the first step in the land acquisition process, which has been underway for the past five years.

Previously, the land acquisition proposal had been sent to the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) by a committee appointed by the district administration. However, due to a lack of coordination between the district administration, the airport company, the land acquisition committee, and the airport director, the process was delayed. The expansion issue has been under discussion since January 2021, and in November 2021, the district administration forwarded the land acquisition proposal to the airport authority. A committee for the runway widening was formed in May 2022, followed by an evaluation of the affected properties across 147 acres in Chikalthana, Mukundwadi, and Murtizapur. Proposals were then prepared accordingly. In March 2023, a provision for land acquisition was included in the state budget.

The runway expansion, which will require significant land for the runway and taxiways, will extend the current 9,300-foot runway (2,835 metres) to 12,000 feet, requiring land acquisition for an additional 2,700 feet. An 825-metre-long section of the runway will be constructed. The land acquisition will be carried out under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act. The initial notification has been issued under Section 11(1) by Sub-Divisional Officer (Land Acquisition) Dr Vyanket Rathod. Administrative and financial approvals will be granted by the government, and the process for measuring 147 acre of land has already been completed.

Dr Rathod mentioned that discussions regarding land acquisition had taken place before the elections. The notification has been issued, and the final land acquisition process will begin afterward. The expected timeline for completing this process is two years. However, the administration is aiming to finish the acquisition within 9 months, ensuring the transfer of 143 hectare of land to the airport company.