Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan assures timely completion of Kannur airport land acquisition

Kerala CM ensures timely land acquisition for Kannur airport, addressing concerns raised by opposition leaders and MLA Shailaja.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has assured that the land acquisition process for the Kannur airport development will be completed in a timely manner, emphasising that necessary steps are being taken to address the issue.

Responding to submissions by Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan and K.V. Sumesh in the Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Vijayan acknowledged the “seriousness” of the matter, noting that it has also been consistently highlighted by Mattanur MLA K.K. Shailaja.

He said that in the first phase, 1,113.33 acres of land has already been acquired and handed over to Kannur International Airport Limited, while the acquisition of 804.37 acres in the second phase is under way.

Additionally, out of the 1970.05 hectares of land to be acquired for the establishment of an industrial park as part of the airport development, 21.81 hectares belonging to Kolari and Keezhalloor villages have been acquired and handed over to KINFRA. Funds have been allocated for the acquisition of 202.34 hectares of land belonging to Keezhoor and Pattanur villages and further action is being taken, said Mr. Vijayan.

He further stated that for the extension of the airport’s runway to 4,000 meters, 245.33 acres of land in Keezhallor village has been notified and a proposal of ₹900 crore, including ₹750 crore for runway extension and ₹150 crore for rehabilitation, submitted by the Kannur District Collector, is under government scrutiny.

The Government Engineering College, Kozhikode, is conducting the valuation of buildings and structures in the project area, with 39 structures already assessed, and ₹3,70,466 allocated for the purpose, the remaining 162 structures are yet to evaluated.

As there is no provision for land allotment in lieu of evictions, the District Collector has been instructed to recommend a special package. Administrative permission has also been granted to acquire the land and properties of 14 families, with the District Collector directed to submit a detailed proposal. The Chief Minister reiterated that time-bound actions will be taken to resolve all related issues.