Mumbai, July 16 -- Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced that a proposed airport at Palasa in Srikakulam district is being developed to curb employment migration and to remove the district's backward region tag. He conducted a high-level review meeting with public representatives, officials and villagers to discuss airport establishment, land acquisition and compensation. The minister said the facility will be constructed under the central Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme and will be built entirely under government control with funds from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and he warned against rumours of private takeover.
He revealed that about 500 acres of land will be earmarked for industrial establishments adjacent to the airport and that those industries are expected to generate large-scale employment opportunities for local youth. A structured policy will give local residents first preference in recruitment for project-related jobs. He cited Bhogapuram Airport as an example where land values rose and thousands secured work in hotels and transport services.
The minister noted rapid progress on Mulapeta Port under the leadership of State Agriculture Minister Atchannaidu and said local land sacrifices had attracted interest from major companies. He appealed to people of Palasa to provide similar cooperation for the airport project and indicated that, over the next 20 to 40 years, the undertaking could develop into a central hub to secure the future of children and reduce the need to migrate to Dubai, Gulf nations or Singapore for employment. Officials responded to queries and outlined timelines.
District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar assured that no village would be vacated or relocated during land acquisition and emphasised that farmers and affected landowners would receive fair and transparent compensation strictly in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act. He said the process will proceed only with the full consent and cooperation of local people. Officials addressed several doubts raised by farmers during the session.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.