NAINA Land Controversy: Farmers, Activists Challenge CIDCO

Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project is facing mounting opposition, with villagers intensifying their legal battle against CIDCO. Alleging unfair land acquisition practices and policy violations, affected communities have filed multiple petitions challenging the project’s legitimacy.

So far, 10 petitions have been submitted to the Bombay High Court, specifically targeting NAINA Project Phases 2 and 7. Additionally, an environmental expert is preparing to file a case with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Delhi, contesting the project’s environmental clearance.

Suresh Thakur, president of the 95 Villages Project-Affected Action Committee, warned that CIDCO is now in for a major setback. “We have been opposing this project since 2013. Initially, CIDCO promised to return 60% of the acquired land to owners but later reduced it to just 40%. Despite years of hunger strikes and protests, authorities kept delaying discussions,” he said.

Over the past eight years, CIDCO has approved 12 projects under the NAINA scheme. In response, the 95 affected villages formed an action committee to raise awareness and pursue legal action. Eight project-affected individuals have filed petitions addressing key concerns, including the loss of farmers’ livelihoods, the awarding of ₹7,932 crore worth of contracts without consent, and the cancellation of land records. The petitioners are also seeking a stay on these developments.

Another major point of contention is CIDCO’s alleged land transactions with the Alibag District Collector for grazing lands designated for public use. Villagers are demanding that these lands be returned. Several Gram Panchayats have also passed resolutions calling for the cancellation of the NAINA project.

Thakur further accused CIDCO of misusing the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, to push the project forward without following due constitutional procedures. He also warned that awarding contracts worth thousands of crores without proper land acquisition could put CIDCO in financial distress.

Experts note that CIDCO has already invested hundreds of crores in the NAINA project, and any cancellation could lead to significant financial and administrative consequences.