The development of a major international airport in Solapur faces a critical juncture as authorities have decided to conduct a fresh survey to verify the presence of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) at the proposed site. This crucial re-survey will take place after the conclusion of the ongoing election proceedings.
Election Delay and Expert Intervention
Solapur District Collector, Kumar Ashirwad, confirmed that the re-assessment of the GIB's presence at the Boramani site in Solapur South tehsil is a top priority. The administration has received a positive response from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, which has agreed to lead the survey.
"The WII team is ready to re-survey the existence of GIB in Boramani," stated Collector Ashirwad. "Since the administration is busy with the election proceedings, it has been decided that the re-survey will be done after the elections." This decision highlights the administrative gridlock caused by the electoral process, pushing a vital environmental and infrastructural decision to a later date.
A Project Haunted by an Endangered Bird
The airport project's troubles are not new. A significant 1,600 acres were acquired for the project back in 2015. However, progress was abruptly halted in 2021 when an initial survey confirmed the presence of the Great Indian Bustard on the proposed runway location.
This discovery raised major environmental concerns, leading the forest department to reject a proposal to declassify 33 hectares of forest land that was essential for the runway. The confirmation of the GIB, a bird on the brink of extinction, in the Boramani grasslands created a significant legal and ecological hurdle for the project.
Local Disputes and Interim Solutions
Adding a layer of complexity to the issue, local residents have disputed the findings of the 2021 survey, claiming the bird is not present. This public contention is a key reason behind the decision to seek a conclusive, third-party survey from the WII.
In the meantime, air connectivity for the region has been initiated through a temporary facility on Hotagi Road, developed with an investment of approximately Rs 60 crore. However, this interim solution has its limitations. Plans for a night-landing facility have been delayed due to obstructions from nearby construction, the Siddheshwar factory, and surrounding human settlements.
Despite these challenges, the Maharashtra state government has renewed its efforts to develop the full-fledged international airport at Boramani and eventually introduce 24/7 flight operations. The upcoming WII survey will be the decisive factor, determining whether this long-envisioned infrastructure project can finally take off or if it will remain grounded by the need to protect a national natural treasure.
