Coimbatore Airport Expansion: Land Acquisition To Be Completed In Two Weeks

The land acquisition process for the expansion of Coimbatore International Airport is expected to conclude within two weeks, according to District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati.

The airport is located in Peelamedu, 11 km from the city centre of Coimbatore. 

The total area of 627.89 acres identified for airport expansion is spread across 23 blocks in four villages, namely Singanallur, Uppilippalayam, Kalapatti, and Irugur, as well as one block owned by the defence.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will carry out development works, including extending the runway from its current length of 9,500 feet to 12,500 feet, once the site has been fully acquired.

Pati stated that 97 per cent of the private and patta land required for the expansion — approximately 468 acres out of a total of 600 — has already been acquired. The remaining 3 per cent is anticipated to be completed in the next fortnight.

The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 2,100 crore for the acquisition, with payments for 97 per cent of the land already processed.

Disputed properties and those involved in court cases, which make up the remaining 3 per cent, will have payments deposited in court under Section 7 (3) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purpose Act. The government will proceed with possession once the court issues final orders.

Industries Minister T R B Raja is overseeing the acquisition process from Chennai, ensuring its timely completion. The Collector further noted that permissions have been granted for acquiring defence land included in the expansion plan, with final orders expected shortly, reports Times Of India.

Concerns regarding road connectivity between Irugur and Chinniampalaym, which will be affected by the expansion, were also discussed. The land plan schedule provided by the AAI accounted for rights of way required by AAI but did not include provisions for service roads.

To address this, Rajkumar suggested acquiring additional land on either side to create service roads, a request that has been forwarded to the airport director.

The completion of the land acquisition is seen as a crucial step in the expansion project, which is expected to spur economic growth in Coimbatore and enhance its role as a key international hub in the region.