Himachal: Kangra Airport Expansion Project Gets Centre's Nod

The much-awaited expansion of Gaggal airport in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district is set to proceed as the Ministry of Environment and Forests has granted its approval for the project.

An in-principal FCA clearance has been granted for six hectares of forest land needed for the airport's expansion.

Kangra district tourism development officer Vinay Dhiman confirmed the clearance, stating, “We have received the stage-1 clearance from the ministry for diverting the forest land falling under the airport project. Now, we are working on applying for the final stage-II clearance for the project", Times of India reported.

The expansion project will need around 147 hectares of land from 14 villages located in Kangra and Shahpur tehsils.

Of the total 147 hectares land, around 25.1 hectares is government land, including six hectares of forest land, while the remaining 122.6 hectares is private land.

The acquisition process for the 122 hectares of private land is nearing completion as the administration has already issued notifications under sections 19 (declaration of acquisition) and 21 (intent to take possession) of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act.

Notices have been issued to landowners, and the compensation rewards are currently being prepared.

However, a local body has filed a petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, seeking a stay on the land acquisition process. The case will be heard on 16 October.

“We are in the final stages of the land acquisition process. We have also sought objections from the landowners and the land compensation is also being finalised. But we can’t announce compensation awards till we get relief from the high court," said Dhiman.

The land acquisition process will displace 942 families from 14 villages in Kangra and Shahpur tehsils.

Under the project, 87 hectares of land will be acquired from 10 villages in Kangra tehsil and 35 hectares from four villages in Shahpur tehsil.

The draft detailed project report estimates the cost of the airport's expansion at Rs 4,064 crore and an estimated Rs 3,349 crore will be allocated for land acquisition compensation.

Under the expansion plan, Gaggal airport's runway will be extended from 1,370 metres to 3,110 metres.

Currently, 70-seater aircraft are permitted to land, but with a cap of 50 passengers, leading to higher fares.

While hoteliers and the tourism industry are advocating for the airport's expansion, local residents have been opposing the project.

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