The Kerala government is examining the land acquisition process for the proposed expansion of Kannur International Airport and plans to take an early decision on difficulties faced by affected families, Chief Minister V D Satheesan told the state Assembly on Thursday. He was responding to a submission by MLA T K Govindan.

The proposed project involves extending the airport runway from 3,050 metres to 4,000 metres. The government granted administrative sanction on December 27, 2016, to acquire 99.92 hectares, but the process remains incomplete despite a notification issued in 2017.

The government had approved a special rehabilitation package of Rs. 1 mn for families facing displacement, based on compensation provided for land acquired for the runway and safety area at Kozhikode airport. Affected families rejected the package, boycotted hearings and submitted representations seeking compensation equivalent to that offered during the airport’s initial land acquisition phase, or Rs. 1.5 mn.

The proposed acquisition of 99.3235 hectares in Keezhallur village is estimated to cost about Rs. 9.43 bn. Satheesan said the delay was unfortunate and noted that houses in the locality had begun to deteriorate. He also recalled that a section of the airport’s compound wall collapsed during heavy rain in 2017, damaging seven houses.

The chief minister questioned whether the identified land was suitable for runway expansion, as it was at a considerably lower elevation and would require extensive earth filling. He said the government was examining possible steps to reduce the difficulties faced by residents and would decide as soon as possible. Further discussions with landowners who had lost land will also be held to seek a resolution on the compensation package.