Thiruvananthapuram airport land acquisition: Impact study begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The field visit and data collection for the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) to acquire 18 acres of land for the expansion of Thiruvananthapuram airport began on Thursday. A 25-member team from Loyola College of Social Sciences led by the college vice-principal Sabu P. Thomas carried out the data collection from the households and commercial establishments like shops and workshops in the area.

The general demand of the residents were reasonable compensation, airport related jobs to members of the families, rehabilitation at nearby spots for families involved in local jobs and tax exemptions for the compensations. “There was no resistance from the residents towards the SIA as the government assured that there won’t be further land acquisition beyond 18 acres. Moreover, the study team also promised to hold further discussions with us before finalising the SIA report to be submitted to the government,” said local action council leaders Saifuddin Haji and Vikraman Nair.

The SIA team collected basic details of the local residents, their financial position, assets and their preferences for compensation. The data was collected using a questionnaire.  Meanwhile, the revenue officials will soon commence survey of the land being acquired. Acqui-sition of the land was pending for several years and the state government recently assured Airports Authority of India that the land will be handed over by December. The AAI is planning to expand existing international terminal by about 55,000 square feet and develop an integrated terminal for domestic and international operations.