Dharamshala, Feb. 22 -- As the land acquisition process for the expansion of Kangra airport in Himachal is underway, Rs.1,938 crore has been disbursed so far among approximately 5,900 beneficiaries, officials aware of the matter said.

Earlier, the state government had disbursed up to Rs.1,460 crore, with officials stating that an instalment of another Rs.500 crore was released recently. The state government is in the process of expanding the airport and is acquiring around 150 hectares of land for the project. The total cost of land acquisition has been pegged at approximately Rs.3,500 crore.

The proposed expansion is expected to displace hundreds of families. According to estimates, at least 1,500 households across 14 villages would be...