Belagavi airport, Sambra
Belagavi: The preliminary survey for the proposed acquisition of 56 acres of land for the expansion of Airport has resumed over the past two days, triggering opposition from local farmers who allege that the exercise was undertaken without prior notice or consultation.Survey department officials have begun assessing land sought by airport authorities for expansion works, drawing objections from affected farmers who said they were not informed before the exercise commenced. Farmers said the land includes 20 to 22 RCC houses, agricultural fields and several wells, and warned that acquisition would affect numerous families. An additional 56 acres is required for approach lighting, runway expansion, taxi parking and vehicle parking facilities as part of the airport’s future development plans, according to airport authorities. Sambra Airport currently spans around 300 acres, and the administration maintains that more land is necessary to accommodate increasing air traffic and future infrastructure needs. Confirming the survey, Thiyagarajan, director of the airport, said a proposal seeking 56 acres has been submitted to the govt and that the ongoing exercise is only a preliminary survey.
They also said compensation related to an earlier acquisition remains partially unpaid. Pending compensation from the previous acquisition should also be paid,” said farmer Dilip Chavan. The proposed acquisition has been under discussion for nearly four years. If land is to be acquired, all affected farmers should receive official notices and complete information. Farmers have demanded that the administration take them into confidence and address their concerns before making any final decision on land acquisition. He added that further proceedings would follow discussions with the concerned landowners and farmers.
“We were not informed before the survey began.