TNR News Network
Kangra
Relief has finally arrived for 60 to 70 families affected by the Kangra Airport expansion project. On Tuesday, during the Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Kangra MLA Pawan Kajal raised the issue under Rule 62, highlighting the plight of families in Gaggal who have been living for decades on government or panchayat‑allotted land but were excluded from compensation.
Responding on behalf of the government in the absence of the Chief Minister, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri announced that these families will now receive proper compensation along with the benefits of Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R). He assured the House that the government stands firmly with the affected families and will ensure they get their rightful dues.
MLA Kajal emphasized that these families, many of whom migrated from Pakistan decades ago, have contributed significantly to the local economy and cannot be abandoned at this stage of life. He stressed that their livelihoods and homes must be protected. Recently, the families had also met with the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra to present their grievances.
The Kangra Airport expansion has already led to land acquisition and compensation for most affected residents, but Gaggal town remains the most impacted. Until now, these 60–70 families had neither received compensation nor R&R benefits. With this announcement, the government has sought to address their long‑standing concerns, ensuring that no family is left stranded in the midst of development.
