Salem Airport expansion: villagers demand market value for their land
In 2008-09, the DMK government decided to expand the airport following demands from various sectors, but dropped the proposal following protests from Kamalapuram, Pottiyapuram, Thumbipadi, and Sikkanamapatti. Now after returning to power, it has resumed t
The four villages near Salem Airport whose land is to be acquired for airport expansion have urged the district administration to consider an alternate spot or to provide market value for their land.
The Salem Airport began operations in 1993 on 136 acres of land. In 200809, the then DMK government decided to expand the airport following demands from various sectors, but dropped the proposal following protests from the villages of Kamalapuram, Pottiyapuram, Thumbipadi, and Sikkanamapatti. In 2018, the then AIADMK government again tried to acquire land for the airport expansion, but due to protests from the villagers and support from the DMK, the government did not proceed further. Now the DMK, which is in power, has resumed the expansion work.
C. Sukumar, a resident of Kamalapuram, said that in 1990, the government had acquired seven acres of land and promised to provide government jobs for one person in each family. However, no one has been given a job in the past 33 years, and farmers have yet to receive compensation for the land they have already given up. Presently, the government plans to acquire 654 acres of land, 520 acres of which are farmland.
“There are 3,000 acres of unused land in the Steel Plant and 10,000 acres in Dalmia Board, near Salem
City. Instead of acquiring farmland, the government may choose to construct a new international airport in these areas,” said Mr. Sukumar.
“We are not against the development or airport expansion. We are only asking for our rights. If the government has any practical difficulties at the Steel Plant or at Dalmia Board, we are ready to give our land. But as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act 2013, the government has to provide market value for our land and also provide a government job for a person in each family giving land. At present, officials claim that per acre they are able to give only ₹5 to ₹10 lakh, while the market value of land in these villages stood at ₹80 lakhs to ₹1.50 crore,” Mr. Sukumar added.
K.S. Ragunandakumar, state secretary of the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) youth wing, said that in 2019, TMC president G.K. Vasan was the first political leader to extend support for the demands of the villagers. “The TMC is not against any development projects, but it urges the government to first fulfill villagers’ demands. The government has to give at least 60% to 70% of the market value to the villagers, along with alternate land and government jobs for each family. To interact with the villagers regarding their demands, TMC leader G.K. Vasan is visiting these villages on Wednesday,” Mr. Ragunandakumar added.
Collector R. Brindha Devi said that land acquisition for the Airport expansion is only in the initial stages, now. The demands of local villagers and farmers will be considered, the Collector added.