HP Assembly session: CM Sukhu assures compensation for families displaced by Kangra airport expansion, lists positives of project
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The Newz Radar
DHARAMSHALA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed concerns raised during a calling attention motion brought in the Vidhan Sabha here on Friday (December 22, 2023) under Rule 62 by Kangra MLA Pawan Kajal regarding the displacement of families due to the expansion of the Kangra airport.
The Chief Minister assured the House that the government was committed to providing appropriate compensation to the affected families.
Sukhu, while responding to the motion, emphasised the government’s vision to transform Kangra into the tourism capital, stating that the expansion of the airport is a crucial step toward achieving this goal. Currently accommodating small planes, the airport’s enlargement aims to facilitate the landing of larger aircraft, thereby enhancing tourism prospects not only for Kangra but also for the regions of Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur. The Chief Minister emphasised that this expansion would contribute to the growth of tourism and IT and subsequently lead to increased employment opportunities.
Acknowledging the impact on local communities, Sukhu affirmed that the government was committed to providing appropriate compensation to the families displaced by the expansion. He clarified that compensation for irrigated land would be tailored to reflect the true value of the affected areas. The Chief Minister mentioned that the process involves the issuance of a notification for the economic and social impact report, with the technical report already submitted to the Airport Authority of India for approval.
In line with the government’s broader strategy to enhance air connectivity in Himachal Pradesh, Sukhu revealed plans for the construction of heliports in Palampur and Chamba.
Earlier, MLA Pawan Kajal had brought attention to the plight of families affected by the airport expansion. He raised concerns about the involvement of influential individuals and land mafias in the relocation process, causing distress to the local population. Kajal highlighted that approximately 1,500 families across eight panchayats and 700 businessmen in Gaggal bazaar are impacted. He further stressed the inadequate compensation, citing instances where compensation rates varied widely and failed to address the true value of the affected land.
Kajal urged the government to consider alternative locations for the expansion to mitigate the adverse effects on local communities and prevent environmental pollution caused by increased air traffic. The Chief Minister’s assurance of fair compensation addresses a key aspect of the ongoing debate surrounding the Kangra airport expansion.
