The long-pending expansion plans of Gannavaram airport may get impetus, with the Krishna district administration setting the land acquisition process in motion soon.
The administration is contemplating to send proposals to State government, seeking permission for acquiring more than 460 acres land from three villages abutting the airport. A senior official on condition of anonymity told The Hindu that the land acquisition process would begin only after getting clearance from the government.
“After getting clearance from the government, we will initiate the process according to the procedures,” the official explained, adding that a notification to this effect was issued last year. Rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) would be taken up according to the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
According to the official, an inquiry was conducted in January last year during which objections and concerns raised by the land owners were taken into consideration. These issues were also discussed with the officials from Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Later, a decision was taken to exempt over 30 acres from acquisition plans as religious structures, graveyards and other built-up complexes have come up there.
After acquiring land, the next crucial stage would be assessing the land value. Proposals has been already sent to the government to sanction Rs. 261 crore for implementation of the R&R package. The government also issued a G.O. sanctioning Rs.110 crore under phase-I. “We are yet to receive the funds,” the official said.
On its part, the AAI has prepared a plan for construction of a swanky arrival and departure terminal building to cater to the needs of passengers. “We will take up the airport expansion once the government hands over the land to us. We will ensure that wide-bodied aircraft can land on the expanded runway,” an airport official added.
