Kovai airport expansion: Concern over access to lands

While the 2,200-crore project to expand Coimbatore International Airport is awaiting final approvals to commence, a few people whose lands were acquired for the project are at the mercy of the State government for connectivity to their remaining parcels of land.
Ramesh Chinnasamy (50) of Chinniampalayam is among the most affected landowners. The government acquired 10 cents belonging to him on the side of Chinniyampalayam – Irugur Road, one of the roads to be cut off with the construction of a compound wall by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) around the rectangular patch of lands for the extension of the runway.
Chinnasamy, who had to demolish his house and 10 rental spaces on the 10 cents, now lives in another house on the remaining 38 cents, access to which also will be cut off with the construction of the wall.
“I have represented this issue to different District Collectors over the years but no one has heeded my genuine concerns. My request to the government now is to acquire the remaining land as well as I cannot develop the property or sell it after the construction of the compound wall,” he said.
According to residents living along Chinniyampalayam – Irugur Road, this crucial road linking the thickly populated Irugur and Avinashi Road will be cut off at two locations as per the airport expansion plan — one adjacent to the property of Chinnasamy, where runway is to be expanded, and at another spot through which approach road to the proposed new terminal will be laid.
The runway expansion area also cuts SST Mill Road, an access road to about 20 land owners, who together have a total of 25 acres abutting the proposed compound wall.
“The AAI informed the court recently that it would give two metres in addition to the three metres that are left as vacant space outside the perimeter wall, which can be used to access our properties. We urge the government to acquire land further and provide a 10-metre road around the wall, so that we can at least sell the properties in future,” said Navaneethakrishnan.
Airport Director Mohammad Arif said that AAI has informed the request for additional acquisition to the district
administration.