Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Patkar joins agitation against Chennai airport expansion
Patkar joins agitation against Chennai airport expansion
Chennai (PTI): Noted social activist Medha Patkar on Friday joined agitation against the proposed expansion of Chennai airport, asserting that the project had displaced hundreds of people and caused environmental hazards.
Taking part in a demonstration here, she said that the government had 'failed' to assess the environmental impact of the project as it caused flooding from the nearby Adyar river during peak monsoon.
"The expansion is an encroachment on people's land without their consent. It is against the very rules of rehabilitation that are against displacement of anyone in development, emphasised in the National Rehabilitation Policy," she said.
Patkar, who has participated in similar demonstrations in Chennai earlier, demanded that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi should ask the Airports Authority of India to reconsider the project.
Later, speaking to reporters, Patkar appealed to the state and Centre governments not to displace the poor while implementing urban development plans. She also said that government should consult the poor while formulating urban development programmes. "Currently, no government is doing that," she claimed.
Patkar alleged that a political-corporate nexus was trying to pocket all available land for real estate purposes. "Corporates are urging the government to undertake real estate development for their private agenda," she said.
The project site has already been shifted by the government due to opposition from the locals as well as political parties, including the PMK.
The project was shifted to the present area, comprising 1099 acres on Tharapakkam, Gerugambakkam,Manapakkam and Kolapakkam.
http://www.hindu.com/holnus/004200901030331.htm
Chennai (PTI): Noted social activist Medha Patkar on Friday joined agitation against the proposed expansion of Chennai airport, asserting that the project had displaced hundreds of people and caused environmental hazards.
Taking part in a demonstration here, she said that the government had 'failed' to assess the environmental impact of the project as it caused flooding from the nearby Adyar river during peak monsoon.
"The expansion is an encroachment on people's land without their consent. It is against the very rules of rehabilitation that are against displacement of anyone in development, emphasised in the National Rehabilitation Policy," she said.
Patkar, who has participated in similar demonstrations in Chennai earlier, demanded that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi should ask the Airports Authority of India to reconsider the project.
Later, speaking to reporters, Patkar appealed to the state and Centre governments not to displace the poor while implementing urban development plans. She also said that government should consult the poor while formulating urban development programmes. "Currently, no government is doing that," she claimed.
Patkar alleged that a political-corporate nexus was trying to pocket all available land for real estate purposes. "Corporates are urging the government to undertake real estate development for their private agenda," she said.
The project site has already been shifted by the government due to opposition from the locals as well as political parties, including the PMK.
The project was shifted to the present area, comprising 1099 acres on Tharapakkam, Gerugambakkam,Manapakkam and Kolapakkam.
http://www.hindu.com/holnus/004200901030331.htm
Medha Patkar asks govt to drop land acquisition plan
Medha Patkar asks govt to drop land acquisition plan
CHENNAI: Madha Patkar's arrival in the city provided a boost to residents of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Tharapakkam and Kovur who have been opposing government acqusition of land for the proposed Chennai airport expansion.
Patkar has pledged support to hundreds whose lands have been identified for acquisition. After taking part in a protest meet organised by residents at the Manapakkam-Ramapuram junction on Mount Poonamallee Road near MIOT Hospital on Friday, Patkar met Tamil Nadu chief secretary K S Sripathy and urged the government to drop the proposal to acquire land and also to discuss the issue with affected residents.
Earlier, Patkar told media persons that the government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) should take into account views of residents and that "no plan should be imposed undemocratically on the people." She said that all information pertaining to a project should be put up before the people as there was lack of transparency during the initial stages of infrastructure projects.
She criticised the government move to acquire land even though it could lead to displacement of about 1,000 families, and said that it reflected "ad hoc planning." Patkar pointed out that the National Rehabilitation Policy disapproved of displacement without rehabilitation. "Thousands of people were evicted with the approval of government for projects done on an ad hoc mode across the country," she said.
Promoting projects assuming that traffic would multiply in the future was improper, according to Patkar. She said that the economic slowdown was slowly impacting the country and that only small airports were needed, not grand structures. She referred to the "politician-corporate nexus working in planning grand infrastructure projects."
Residents who took part in the protest reiterated that they were not ready to give up their land because they did not want to be relocated to another place. "All of us have purchased houses by taking loans.
We continue to pay monthly instalments because the state government has not issued the final notice confirming that the identified locations will be taken up for proposed airport expansion work," said a resident.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Medha_Patkar_asks_govt_to_drop_land_acquisition_plan/articleshow/3928534.cms
CHENNAI: Madha Patkar's arrival in the city provided a boost to residents of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Tharapakkam and Kovur who have been opposing government acqusition of land for the proposed Chennai airport expansion.
Patkar has pledged support to hundreds whose lands have been identified for acquisition. After taking part in a protest meet organised by residents at the Manapakkam-Ramapuram junction on Mount Poonamallee Road near MIOT Hospital on Friday, Patkar met Tamil Nadu chief secretary K S Sripathy and urged the government to drop the proposal to acquire land and also to discuss the issue with affected residents.
Earlier, Patkar told media persons that the government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) should take into account views of residents and that "no plan should be imposed undemocratically on the people." She said that all information pertaining to a project should be put up before the people as there was lack of transparency during the initial stages of infrastructure projects.
She criticised the government move to acquire land even though it could lead to displacement of about 1,000 families, and said that it reflected "ad hoc planning." Patkar pointed out that the National Rehabilitation Policy disapproved of displacement without rehabilitation. "Thousands of people were evicted with the approval of government for projects done on an ad hoc mode across the country," she said.
Promoting projects assuming that traffic would multiply in the future was improper, according to Patkar. She said that the economic slowdown was slowly impacting the country and that only small airports were needed, not grand structures. She referred to the "politician-corporate nexus working in planning grand infrastructure projects."
Residents who took part in the protest reiterated that they were not ready to give up their land because they did not want to be relocated to another place. "All of us have purchased houses by taking loans.
We continue to pay monthly instalments because the state government has not issued the final notice confirming that the identified locations will be taken up for proposed airport expansion work," said a resident.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Medha_Patkar_asks_govt_to_drop_land_acquisition_plan/articleshow/3928534.cms
Medha Patkar flays airport expansion
Medha Patkar flays airport expansion
CHENNAI: Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar on Friday described the airport expansion plan here as “encroachment on people’s land.” Patkar was in the city to participate in a demonstration held by the United People’s Forum for Survival (UPFFS) against the project.
“The airport expansion is encroachment on people’s land without their consent.
“The airport expansion is encroachment on people’s land without their consent.
It is against the very rules of rehabilitation that are against displacement of anyone in development. The National Rehabilitation Policy emphasis this fact,” she said.
Even though the houses and plots were taken over by the government under the rules, it nevertheless showed ad hoc planning because it failed to take care of the displaced people.
“I know Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel only too well to understand that all this ambitious planning is aimed at corporatisation of the sector,” Patkar said. The government failed to assess the environmental hazards that were bound to crop up because of the parallel runway.
“It is the political-corporate nexus at work, which is not in the best interests of the people.” Patkar urged Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to hold a dialogue with the Airports Authority of India on the issue. It was big corporate houses that would benefit from such projects with bigger profits in their account, she said.
“Today, it is the building of a parallel runway and tomorrow they will want malls right next to that for further development.
Where does that leave the common man?” Recalling the Nagar Raj Bill, Patkar said displacement was being equated with development and the people’s basic needs were being ignored.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Demonstration on 02-01-2009
Afftected people of Chennai airport expansion plan, Stages a Demonstration on 02-01-2009,Friday in Manapakkam.
Opposite to MIOT Hospital............
Time: 11.00 A.M - 2.00 P.M
Date:02-01-2009
Day: Friday
Medha Patkar will also be present in the Meeting.....
Affected people, please make your presence and we can request government to reconsider the plan.........
Opposite to MIOT Hospital............
Time: 11.00 A.M - 2.00 P.M
Date:02-01-2009
Day: Friday
Medha Patkar will also be present in the Meeting.....
Affected people, please make your presence and we can request government to reconsider the plan.........
Thursday, December 25, 2008
State wants stake in exchange for providing land
CHENNAI: Airport development projects in Tamil Nadu have run into rough weather with the state government declining to give any more free land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), citing rising land acquisition costs.
Instead, the TN government has proposed turning some of the airports into corporations in which it could take a stake in exchange for providing land. AAI is currently experiencing a drop in air traffic due to the economic slowdown. The slump coupled with privatisation of high revenue-yielding airports at Delhi and Mumbai have eroded the finances of the agency, which depends on fees levied on airlines for its revenue.
Its plans to expand hubs at Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi hinge on acquiring land without incurring high costs. However, in a recent meeting, the state government made it clear to AAI that it would not get land for airport expansion projects free of cost.
"The government has told us that land can be provided free only for the expansion of Chennai airport. It also wants us to prune the requirement of land," said a senior AAI official.
This would impact development work, he said, adding AAI needs close to 900 acres for expanding Coimbatore airport and 616 acres for developing Madurai airport. Sources said the government has suggested that AAI convert each airport into a company and allow them to acquire stakes in it depending on the quantum of land handed over for development. But AAI is against the proposal. State governments have 13% equity share in new airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore. "
The Tamil Nadu government wants AAI to have a similar arrangement for airports in the state without privatising them," an AAI official said. The current stand-off may force AAI to reconsider its options as the agency cannot afford to acquire land on its own. "We lost high revenue-yielding airports of Mumbai and Delhi to private companies.
They paid just an upfront license fee of Rs 150 crore for airports that contributed close to Rs 700 crore from cargo movement alone to the coffers of AAI every year," said a senior AAI official. AAI already has two major projects modernization and expansion of Chennai (Rs 2,000 crore) and Kolkata (Rs 1,800 crore) airports on hand. "These projects will empty out the Rs 3,000 crore cash reserve the AAI has.
The authority is facing a severe cash crunch because decline in air traffic and unpaid air traffic fee by airlines has eaten into the revenue generated by existing airports including Chennai and Kolkata," said an executive director of AAI. "We have had a line-up of airport expansion proposals because air traffic was growing at a healthy 15%.
But now, there is a shocking decline of 20%. This is expected to slow down infrastructure developments," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Airport_projects_in_limbo_TN_wants_stakes_in_exchange_for_providing_land/articleshow/3891934.cms
Instead, the TN government has proposed turning some of the airports into corporations in which it could take a stake in exchange for providing land. AAI is currently experiencing a drop in air traffic due to the economic slowdown. The slump coupled with privatisation of high revenue-yielding airports at Delhi and Mumbai have eroded the finances of the agency, which depends on fees levied on airlines for its revenue.
Its plans to expand hubs at Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi hinge on acquiring land without incurring high costs. However, in a recent meeting, the state government made it clear to AAI that it would not get land for airport expansion projects free of cost.
"The government has told us that land can be provided free only for the expansion of Chennai airport. It also wants us to prune the requirement of land," said a senior AAI official.
This would impact development work, he said, adding AAI needs close to 900 acres for expanding Coimbatore airport and 616 acres for developing Madurai airport. Sources said the government has suggested that AAI convert each airport into a company and allow them to acquire stakes in it depending on the quantum of land handed over for development. But AAI is against the proposal. State governments have 13% equity share in new airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore. "
The Tamil Nadu government wants AAI to have a similar arrangement for airports in the state without privatising them," an AAI official said. The current stand-off may force AAI to reconsider its options as the agency cannot afford to acquire land on its own. "We lost high revenue-yielding airports of Mumbai and Delhi to private companies.
They paid just an upfront license fee of Rs 150 crore for airports that contributed close to Rs 700 crore from cargo movement alone to the coffers of AAI every year," said a senior AAI official. AAI already has two major projects modernization and expansion of Chennai (Rs 2,000 crore) and Kolkata (Rs 1,800 crore) airports on hand. "These projects will empty out the Rs 3,000 crore cash reserve the AAI has.
The authority is facing a severe cash crunch because decline in air traffic and unpaid air traffic fee by airlines has eaten into the revenue generated by existing airports including Chennai and Kolkata," said an executive director of AAI. "We have had a line-up of airport expansion proposals because air traffic was growing at a healthy 15%.
But now, there is a shocking decline of 20%. This is expected to slow down infrastructure developments," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Airport_projects_in_limbo_TN_wants_stakes_in_exchange_for_providing_land/articleshow/3891934.cms
Sunday, December 21, 2008
CMDA head calls for arbitrators for land acquisition
CMDA head calls for arbitrators for land acquisition
CHENNAI: Land acquisition processes, which often run into legal and political hurdles, should be done through arbitrators appointed for the process, and not through government officials, a top CMDA member secretary Vikram Kapur has said.
Speaking at a session on infrastructure at Pan IIT 2008 at IIT-Madras, Kapur said the responsibility of acquiring lands should not be vested with government servants. "The government should appoint arbitrators for acquiring land.
The arbitrators can ensure that the government does not pay too much for the land, while also upholding the real value the land owner should get," he said. The member secretary advocated that the land owners be paid royalty for the land that they give to the government, for any future returns that might be got from the land.
The schedule of rates of the PWD was outdated and not realistic, as it does not factor in inflationary trends. "Because of this, many contractors are not willing to take up projects. Often there is a single bidder or just a few of them," he said. Many state governments have often run into problems during land acquisition.
The Tamil Nadu government's plans to acquire land for the proposed satellite township projects and the airport expansion project have run into problems, with political parties and residents opposing the move. Kapur said that any infrastructure project must be funded through debts than government funds, even if the user charges are high.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/CMDA_head_calls_for_arbitrators_for_land_acquisition/articleshow/3864707.cms
CHENNAI: Land acquisition processes, which often run into legal and political hurdles, should be done through arbitrators appointed for the process, and not through government officials, a top CMDA member secretary Vikram Kapur has said.
Speaking at a session on infrastructure at Pan IIT 2008 at IIT-Madras, Kapur said the responsibility of acquiring lands should not be vested with government servants. "The government should appoint arbitrators for acquiring land.
The arbitrators can ensure that the government does not pay too much for the land, while also upholding the real value the land owner should get," he said. The member secretary advocated that the land owners be paid royalty for the land that they give to the government, for any future returns that might be got from the land.
The schedule of rates of the PWD was outdated and not realistic, as it does not factor in inflationary trends. "Because of this, many contractors are not willing to take up projects. Often there is a single bidder or just a few of them," he said. Many state governments have often run into problems during land acquisition.
The Tamil Nadu government's plans to acquire land for the proposed satellite township projects and the airport expansion project have run into problems, with political parties and residents opposing the move. Kapur said that any infrastructure project must be funded through debts than government funds, even if the user charges are high.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/CMDA_head_calls_for_arbitrators_for_land_acquisition/articleshow/3864707.cms
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Compensation given for lands acquired for airport expansion project
Compensation given for lands acquired for airport expansion project
KANCHEEPURAM: Compensation totalling Rs.25 crore was distributed recently to the landowners, who agreed to hand over their lands for the Chennai airport expansion project.
Distributing cheques to 36 out of the 45 landowners at the Collectorate here, Labour Minister T.M. Anbarasan said 126.59 acres had been acquired in Manapakkam and Kolapakkam.
The State government had classified the 126.59 acres of private lands acquired at Manapakkam and Kolapakkam areas into four categories – (a) barren agriculture lands (which are level lands); (b) lands in which earth had been excavated for brick making; (c) unapproved layout area with access to public road; and (d) land in the unapproved layout set aside for road and common purposes.
The compensation for lands coming under category A has been fixed at Rs.1.06 lakh per Cent; for lands classified as category B at Rs.60,000 per Cent and for the category C at Rs.750 per sq.feet or Rs.18 lakhs per ground (2400 sq. ft). Lands falling under category D were not eligible for compensation.
Kancheepuram Collector Santosh K.Misra said the landowners have given their consent for receiving the compensation under Section 7(2) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act 1997.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120560330400.htm
KANCHEEPURAM: Compensation totalling Rs.25 crore was distributed recently to the landowners, who agreed to hand over their lands for the Chennai airport expansion project.
Distributing cheques to 36 out of the 45 landowners at the Collectorate here, Labour Minister T.M. Anbarasan said 126.59 acres had been acquired in Manapakkam and Kolapakkam.
The State government had classified the 126.59 acres of private lands acquired at Manapakkam and Kolapakkam areas into four categories – (a) barren agriculture lands (which are level lands); (b) lands in which earth had been excavated for brick making; (c) unapproved layout area with access to public road; and (d) land in the unapproved layout set aside for road and common purposes.
The compensation for lands coming under category A has been fixed at Rs.1.06 lakh per Cent; for lands classified as category B at Rs.60,000 per Cent and for the category C at Rs.750 per sq.feet or Rs.18 lakhs per ground (2400 sq. ft). Lands falling under category D were not eligible for compensation.
Kancheepuram Collector Santosh K.Misra said the landowners have given their consent for receiving the compensation under Section 7(2) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act 1997.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120560330400.htm
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Airport wall floods surrounding areas
Airport wall floods surrounding areas
V Ayyappan TNN
Chennai: Residents of Manapakkam and Kolapakkam are in deep trouble, thanks to the flood prevention steps taken by the airport. Located on the north western side of the airport and sandwiched between Adyar river and Porur lake, these neighbourhoods have become inundated by floodwater. Stormwater and an overflowing Adyar river have already flooded the river-end of the secondary runway. However, flood will not affect airport operations as the secondary runway is not used regularly.
During heavy rain the overflowing water from Porur lake flows through these neighbourhoods and into the Adyar river. The airport authorities have built a wall to prevent the water from entering their ground. This has resulted in obstructing the water flow causing water logging in the residential areas of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam and Mogalivakkam.When Chembarampakkam reservoir was opened, water from Adyar river started flowing towards the residential areas in Manapakkam and even Porur.
Brinda Brighton, a resident of Manapakkam — one of the neighbourhoods marked for acquisition for airport expansion — said that water from the river had flooded the area. “The clearing and levelling works in the 129 acres acquired for extension work is causing flooding in the locality,” she added. “The problem will get complicated because Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to extend the runway further across the river.
Unless the runway level is raised, flooding will affect airport operations in the future, said Captain A Ranganathan, a former pilot.
The expansion works would obstruct the flow of the Adyar river and the flow of floodwater from Porur to the river. Hence, flooding might hamper aircraft operations on the secondary runway and the parallel runway, a former AAI official said.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&login=default&AW=1228104326406
V Ayyappan TNN
Chennai: Residents of Manapakkam and Kolapakkam are in deep trouble, thanks to the flood prevention steps taken by the airport. Located on the north western side of the airport and sandwiched between Adyar river and Porur lake, these neighbourhoods have become inundated by floodwater. Stormwater and an overflowing Adyar river have already flooded the river-end of the secondary runway. However, flood will not affect airport operations as the secondary runway is not used regularly.
During heavy rain the overflowing water from Porur lake flows through these neighbourhoods and into the Adyar river. The airport authorities have built a wall to prevent the water from entering their ground. This has resulted in obstructing the water flow causing water logging in the residential areas of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam and Mogalivakkam.When Chembarampakkam reservoir was opened, water from Adyar river started flowing towards the residential areas in Manapakkam and even Porur.
Brinda Brighton, a resident of Manapakkam — one of the neighbourhoods marked for acquisition for airport expansion — said that water from the river had flooded the area. “The clearing and levelling works in the 129 acres acquired for extension work is causing flooding in the locality,” she added. “The problem will get complicated because Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to extend the runway further across the river.
Unless the runway level is raised, flooding will affect airport operations in the future, said Captain A Ranganathan, a former pilot.
The expansion works would obstruct the flow of the Adyar river and the flow of floodwater from Porur to the river. Hence, flooding might hamper aircraft operations on the secondary runway and the parallel runway, a former AAI official said.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&login=default&AW=1228104326406
TN Govt Says Manapakkam is a flooding area......
If TN Government say manapakkam,Kollapakkam,Gerugambakkam,Tharapakkam is a low lying area.....Then How come CHENNAI AIRPORT EXPANSION POSSIBLE>>>>.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
WATCH MORE VIDEOS FROM CNN-IBN.......
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/77276/11_2008/cj17_0111_2a/delhi-women-buckle-up-to-change-the-system.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/77276/11_2008/cj17_0111_2/delhi-women-buckle-up-to-change-the-system.html
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/77276/11_2008/cj17_0111_2/delhi-women-buckle-up-to-change-the-system.html
Comments:
Thanks to Brinda for fighting against this expensive project. Government clearly can not run both the airports, then what is the point in spending thousands of crores in expanding this airport. Instead Govt should spend all its effort in speeding up the new airport work. That is what an efficient government can do. But these politicians dont know what they are doing.We all with you Brinda !- jayavel
NATARAJAN said...
Thank U Mrs. Brinda Brighton,you have taken up the causes of hundreds of people living around the airport who are likely to be displaced in event of the parallel runway becomes a reality. We are with u in giving a fight against the Airports Authority of India and Government of Tamilnadu. I pray that good sense will prevail in the minds of those and they will resort to the the Greenfield Airport at Sriperumudur instead of displacing thousands of families in and around Manappakkam. What disturbs all of us is that the State of Tamilnadu is contemplating to acquire lands in and around Manappakkam despite the fact that CMDA gave clearance for the lands involved in Marvel River View County some where around the early 2006. What made the State Government to come out with a revised area for acquisition in May, 2007. What happened in between? May God bless us and our home sweet homes.With prayers.R. NATARAJAN.
November 14, 2008 6:49 AM
Monday, November 3, 2008
A flexible land acquisition process
A flexible land acquisition process
The Tami Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act works differently from the Land Acquisition Act. It has expedited the process and helped fix flexible rates for compensation, writes C.H.Gopinatha Rao
In the recent past, the government has been acquiring lands for various projects ranging from road widening, SEZ and industrial purposes.
It is a usual practice to evoke the land acquisition Act (1864) for this purpose.
However, the recent land acquisitions by the Government of Tamil Nadu saw a departure. Land for Chennai Airport expansion project was acquired evoking the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act. (known as Tamil Nadu Acquisition Act, in force from September 21, 2001 ) and not the Land Acquisition Act.
This shift was done in order to speed up acquisition. Did the government achieve its objectives? Were the people whose lands were acquired adequately compensated?
Widely defined
As per Section 2(e) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition Act, ’industrial purpose’ includes the starting of a new industry, expansion of an existing industry, development of an industrial area and establishment and management of an industrial estate. The word, industrial purposes, is so widely defined that the court took the view that land acquisition for airport can be made under this Act.
The Tamil Nadu Acquisition Act overrides the provisions of the original Land Acquisition Act and the detailed procedure usually adopted need not be followed.
The State Government has to now issue a notification under Section 3 proposing to acquire land, followed by a notice under Section 4(1) to show cause why the land should not be acquired. The owner of the land can then make his/her objection and if the Government is not satisfied with the objection, a notification under Section 3(1) can be issued. After which the land will vest with the Government. Section 7 of the Act provides for payment of compensation based on the principles laid down under the Land Acquisition Act.
Advantage
Another advantage is that in the case of Land Acquisition Act, failure to make an award within two years of the declaration will let acquisition proceedings lapse.
But in the case of Tamil Nadu Acquisition Act, the compensation need not be paid before the land vests with the Government and there is no time limit for passing the award.
If the compensation is low, reference can be made to the Sub-Court and no Second Appeal is available. The interest payable on compensation under this Act is lower than the interest payable under the Land Acquisition Act and no solatium need to be paid.
Revenue officials say that the Act allowed them, in the case of Oragadum, to work out a flexible rate, expedite the process and facilitate better interaction with the land owners.
The Collector was guided by the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The Guideline value, the last land transaction amount received at the sub-registrar’s office and the market value of lands to be acquired were taken into consideration and fair value of the land was arrived at. This also allowed for arriving at differential rates fixed depending on various factors that influence the value of land.
Paid dividends
In Oragadum this approach has paid dividends and 50 owners voluntarily surrendered the land and received the compensation.
In Oragadum this approach has paid dividends and 50 owners voluntarily surrendered the land and received the compensation.
However, in the case of Chennai Airport expansion project there are reports that some of the residents feel that the compensation value is less than the fair market value.
What is important is that the process of determining the fair value of the land under acquisition must be professionally and thoroughly done. It should be transparent and the method of arriving at the value must be shared with the land owners. If the comparative method was used then the basis for comparison must be made public.
If the value was fixed through values obtained through recent transaction, then the detailed information of such transaction must be made known.
Adequate and fair compensation would only speed up the auction process and gain peoples’ acceptance.
The author is past National President, Institution of Valuers.
Passenger movement at Chennai airport’s domestic terminal falls
Passenger movement at Chennai airport’s domestic terminal falls
CHENNAI: There has been a fall in passenger and aircraft movement at the domestic terminal of the Chennai airport in the last six months.Records show that from April to September this year, 32.45 lakh passengers travelled in the domestic sector, against 36.83 lakh during the corresponding period last year.
Aircraft movement was 42,765 from April to September this year against 43,592 during the corresponding period last year.Airports Authority of India (AAI) sources say passenger movement recorded a negative growth rate of 12 per cent and aircraft movement recorded a negative growth rate of 2 per cent in the last six months since April this year.
The reasons
Increase in the cost of aviation turbine fuel is being cited as a major factor for the fall. This has forced airlines to prune operations. While some have reduced the number of services from Chennai to other destinations, a couple of others have suspended operations from Chennai, say the AAI sources. With the opening of new airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad, a few airlines have cancelled short-haul flights. This is another reason for reduction in passenger movement in the domestic sector, the sources say.Consolidation in the airline industry is another reason for the reduction in the number of flights.
For example, Air Sahara and Jet Airways were operating different flights from Chennai to New Delhi. With their merger, the Air Sahara flight to Delhi was cancelled. Another example is Kingfisher and Air Deccan, who were operating to Bangalore and Madurai separately. After Air Deccan was bought over by Kingfisher some of the Deccan flights were cancelled. Again, promotional offers by low cost airlines have been scrapped and ticket costs have gone up.
A senior AAI officer says among the three major airports in the southern region, Chennai is the least affected.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/01/stories/2008110160160800.htm
CHENNAI: There has been a fall in passenger and aircraft movement at the domestic terminal of the Chennai airport in the last six months.Records show that from April to September this year, 32.45 lakh passengers travelled in the domestic sector, against 36.83 lakh during the corresponding period last year.
Aircraft movement was 42,765 from April to September this year against 43,592 during the corresponding period last year.Airports Authority of India (AAI) sources say passenger movement recorded a negative growth rate of 12 per cent and aircraft movement recorded a negative growth rate of 2 per cent in the last six months since April this year.
The reasons
Increase in the cost of aviation turbine fuel is being cited as a major factor for the fall. This has forced airlines to prune operations. While some have reduced the number of services from Chennai to other destinations, a couple of others have suspended operations from Chennai, say the AAI sources. With the opening of new airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad, a few airlines have cancelled short-haul flights. This is another reason for reduction in passenger movement in the domestic sector, the sources say.Consolidation in the airline industry is another reason for the reduction in the number of flights.
For example, Air Sahara and Jet Airways were operating different flights from Chennai to New Delhi. With their merger, the Air Sahara flight to Delhi was cancelled. Another example is Kingfisher and Air Deccan, who were operating to Bangalore and Madurai separately. After Air Deccan was bought over by Kingfisher some of the Deccan flights were cancelled. Again, promotional offers by low cost airlines have been scrapped and ticket costs have gone up.
A senior AAI officer says among the three major airports in the southern region, Chennai is the least affected.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/01/stories/2008110160160800.htm
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Link to Watch CNN-IBN news...
Watch the CNN-IBN, Citizen Journalist Program regarding Chennai airport expansion in the following location.........
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/77165/cj-story-airport-authority-acquires-residents-land.html
Friday, October 31, 2008
THE REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT BILL 2007
THE REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT
BILL, 2007
http://164.100.24.209/newls/whatsnew/rehabandsettlementbill.pdf
BILL, 2007
http://164.100.24.209/newls/whatsnew/rehabandsettlementbill.pdf
WATCH CNN-IBN TV
Please watch CNN-IBN tomorrow 01-11-2008 at 9.30 P.M in Citizen Journalist Program.
If u miss the above, Please watch the Re-telecast at 11.30 A.M on Sunday 02-11-2008
www.ibnlive.com
If u miss the above, Please watch the Re-telecast at 11.30 A.M on Sunday 02-11-2008
www.ibnlive.com
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Land acquisition for parallel runway on
Land acquisition for parallel runway on
A. Srivathsan and P. Oppili
Chennai: The process of acquiring about 1,069 acres of land for the parallel runway of the Chennai airport expansion project is on.
“There is no reconsideration of land acquisition,” says a senior revenue official. Both the secondary and parallel runways have been mapped in detail and the land required has been identified in the villages of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Tarapakkam and Kovur on the northern side of the Chennai airport.
“The survey numbers are being enumerated and the acquisition is in the process. Notices will be shortly sent,” says a government source.
So far, the Tamil Nadu government has acquired 126.59 acres in Kolapakkam and Manapakkam villages in the Sriperumbudur taluk for the secondary runway and has handed over the land to the Airports Authority of India.
The cost of acquiring 126 acres is about Rs.100 crore. It is estimated that the cost of acquiring the entire area measuring 1,069 acres will be about Rs. 1,000 crore.
This high cost of land acquisition had raised doubts about the financial viability of the parallel runway project.
However, the government source says that there is no reconsideration or rethinking.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/31/stories/2008103150120100.htm
A. Srivathsan and P. Oppili
Chennai: The process of acquiring about 1,069 acres of land for the parallel runway of the Chennai airport expansion project is on.
“There is no reconsideration of land acquisition,” says a senior revenue official. Both the secondary and parallel runways have been mapped in detail and the land required has been identified in the villages of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Tarapakkam and Kovur on the northern side of the Chennai airport.
“The survey numbers are being enumerated and the acquisition is in the process. Notices will be shortly sent,” says a government source.
So far, the Tamil Nadu government has acquired 126.59 acres in Kolapakkam and Manapakkam villages in the Sriperumbudur taluk for the secondary runway and has handed over the land to the Airports Authority of India.
The cost of acquiring 126 acres is about Rs.100 crore. It is estimated that the cost of acquiring the entire area measuring 1,069 acres will be about Rs. 1,000 crore.
This high cost of land acquisition had raised doubts about the financial viability of the parallel runway project.
However, the government source says that there is no reconsideration or rethinking.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/31/stories/2008103150120100.htm
Secondary runway work to take 18 months
Secondary runway work to take 18 months
A. Srivathsan and P.Oppili
A. Srivathsan and P.Oppili
126 acres are fenced and construction of perimeter will begin soon
CHENNAI: The secondary runway project of the Chennai airport will take 18 months for completion, sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said. The 126 acres handed over by the State government for the project has been fenced and construction of the perimeter would begin shortly. The total cost of the expansion is about Rs.400 crore, of which the AAI’s share is Rs.250 crore.
As regards the parallel runway project, the sources said that it would begin only after the remaining 943 acres of land is handed over. A separate Special Tahsildar (Land Acquisition Unit), Chennai Airport Scheme, had been posted at the Pattunool Chatram , Sriperumbudur taluk, for acquiring land.
A detailed map showing both the runways and the airport building had been prepared by the AAI and submitted to the State government. Development regulations of the second master plan for Chennai had stipulated conditions to control development around the transitional areas and trough around runways of the airport.
However, the map enclosed in the master plan have not indicated the construction of a parallel runway nor do the regulations mention about monitoring developments in the area around parallel runway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)