Residents oppose expansion

Residents oppose expansion

Chennai, Aug. 25: Nearly 5,000 residents from Kolapakkam are preparing for a major protest against the government move to acquire 35 acres of land for the airport expansion project. According to government officials, the mapping of the required area is completed and the government is yet to take a decision on the issue.

The additional requirement of 35 acres will be used to install approach lights at the head of the runway as part of the airport expansion project.

According to villagers, they received the information through media and later district revenue officials clarified about the land acquisition project. “About 326 families in Kolapakkam village will be directly affected by the project. Most residents are living here for over a century and a majority of them are farmers or daily workers,” said a resident. At the same time, Kolapakkam village welfare association has received assurance from the state labour welfare minister that he would fight against the project. “He promised that he will save the village from the project,” said a member of the association.

But government sources report that the AAI had sent the request to state chief secretary and the state would start issuing the notices to villagers in another three months.


http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/residents-oppose-expansion-660