Chennai airport infrastructure stretched, State informs court

Land acquisition orders for proposed expansion justified


Order freezing building activities to avoid loss”
“Project is of paramount public interest”

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government has informed the Madras High Court that the acquisition proceedings for the proposed Chennai Airport expansion plan have commenced, and that existing facilities at the airport have reached a saturation point.

In a counter-affidavit in response to a writ petition filed by E.V.P. Housing Chennai Private Limited, the Transport Secretary said the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) had been directed to freeze all building activities in the approach area and issue suitable instructions after getting full details from the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

The official further stated that the AAI, in a letter dated August 1, had approved acquisition of 1,069.99 acres on the northern side of the existing airport.

The purpose of the July 9 order of the State Government, on the freezing of building activities, “is to avoid unnecessary financial loss to the Government in paying compensation for the proposed acquisition, since the compensation will have to be paid for the superstructures on the lands proposed to be acquired.”

Reiterating that the Government was within its jurisdiction and competent to issue acquisition orders in the interest of general public, the Secretary said compensation would be paid to the landowners as per law. The order freezing the building construction activity was in no way against the rights guaranteed to the petitioner under the Town and Country Planning Act.

Describing the project as of “paramount public interest,” the counter said there was an imminent need to expand the existing airport necessarily to cater to the increasing passenger and cargo traffic.

“Unless the present airport is expanded, international flights will automatically prefer neighbouring airports, preferring not to land at Chennai. And Chennai might lose its present advantage of being the best destination for investments by various entrepreneurs…,” the counter further said.

Justice A. Kulasekaran, before whom the matter came up for hearing, adjourned the hearing by a week.

Link:http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/11/08/stories/2007110854080400.htm