The revenue department has acquired 301 acres of patta land at a cost of 1,229 crore for the expansion of the city airport so far. Officials are planning to acquire the remaining 161 acres of patta land in four months.
Once the acquisition of land is completed, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) will take over the land and commence the work on the project.
The district administration was mandated to acquire 627.89 acres of land — 134.2 acres of defence land, 31.69 acres of non-cultivable land (poramboke) and 462 acres of patta land — for the airport expansion project. The land parcels are located across 24 blocks and defence land is in the block number 24. The price was fixed at 1,500 per sqft for residential land and 900 per sqft for agriculture land. The authorities also have to raze down 634 houses.
“So far, we have acquired 301 acres of patta land in Kalapatti, Irugur, Singanallur, Neelambur and Uppilipalayam villages and have given a compensation of 1,229 crore to the landowners. The remaining 161 acres of patta land required for the project would cost 830 crore. The total cost of 2,059 crore will be borne by the state government,” said an official.
As many people claimed the rights for the same properties located in the 161 acres of land, the revenue department has been collecting the details of encumbrance certificate from the registration department for the period starting from 1920, the official said. “Details will help to verify the landowners. The verification process has been taking time. However, we are planning to wind it up within four months.”
The Airport Authority of India decided to expand the airport more than a decade ago and has been waiting to get the required land from the district administration for the purpose.
The proposed project would include lengthening of the runway to 12,500 feet from 9,500 feet and construct a new terminal near L&T Bypass Road.