The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Proposed land acquisition for airport evokes opposition

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Tuesday, Jul 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Proposed land acquisition for airport evokes opposition

S. Ganesan

Residents threaten to go on fast with their families

TIRUCHI: The proposed land acquisition for the expansion of the Tiruchi Airport has run into stiff opposition from local residents, who fear displacement.

A survey launched by the Revenue Department last week, based on a request from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), has triggered a panic reaction among residents, especially among those in the colonies right opposite to the Airport.

The AAI has planned to acquire about 1,000 acres for the expansion of the airport, including about 420 acres for the second phase of development that is to be taken up in the near future.

While a major portion of the lands to be acquired was situated behind the airport, a stretch of land is to be acquired in front of the airport too.

The AAI has already sought a diversion of the Tiruchi-Pudukottai highway, which runs close to the airport.

This, the authorities say, effectively rendered about 500 feet of the runway unusable owing to safety and security considerations. Residents of over half-a-dozen colonies, including J.K.Nagar, Lourdu Nagar, Bharathi Nagar, Rajaganapathy Nagar, RVS Nagar and RS Puram, situated opposite to the airport have now launched a campaign against the acquisition.

About 1,000 houses could face demolition if the lands in front of the airport were to be acquired, the residents say. Revenue officials who went for a survey to the colonies last week were prevented from carrying out the process.

J.K.Nagar residents point out that a majority of the residents were middle class families and contend that they cannot afford to relocate whatever compensation was given to them. “All of us have raised bank loans to achieve our lifetime ambition of having a house,” says A.Mohammed Mustafa, a lecturer of Jamal Mohammed College.

“The acquisition move has given us sleepless nights over the past one week. We have been living here as one family. We are not ready to accept any compensation,” says M.Rajagopal, President of J.K.Nagar Residents Welfare Association.

The residents have already launched a campaign to the send telegrams to the Prime Minister and other government authorities.

There is adequate land behind the airport for any future expansion, they insist.

The association members, who have made representations to the Collector, the Member of Parliament, L. Ganesan, and the Transport Minister, K.N. Nehru, now threaten to launch an agitation.

“If the Government went ahead with the move, we will go on fast along with our families,” Mr.Rajagopal said.

Villagers behind the airport have also opposed the acquisition of the lands.

Airport officials, when contacted, said that they have requested the survey only for a feasibility study and nothing has been finalised as yet.

“We would assess our options after the survey and put forward the same to the government,” said a senior airport official.

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