Airport expansion: land owners get compensation

The process of land acquisition for the expansion and upgrading of Hubli airport was set in motion on Sunday with the state government paying compensation amount to the owners of houses that were acquired.

Assembly Speaker Jagadeesh Shettar, MP Prahlad Joshi and MLA Chandrakant Bellad distributed cheques for a total amount of Rs 13.66 crore to 50 families at a function held at PWD meeting hall here on Sunday evening.

Residents of Unkal, Kumar Park, Mandar Park, Saraswatipura and Renuka Nagar received the cheques.

Speaking on the occasion Jagadeesh Shettar said the government had in the first phase released Rs 20 crore for payment of compensation to the evacuees. Compensation to the owners of industrial sheds, non-agriculture plots and agriculture lands to be acquired would also be paid without any delay. He thanked the owners of buildings and lands for allowing the acquisition on consent award for the development of Hubli-Dharwad.

The government has agreed to provide 700 acres of additional land adjoining Hubli airport to Airport Authority of India for the expansion of airport. Shettar said the airport development would pave way for all round development of North Karnataka as Hubli would become a hub of development.

He assured the evacuees that they would be provided alternative sites at reasonable price and their demand for exemption of stamp duty on the sites allotted to them would be favourably considered. Dharwad north MP Prahlad Joshi urged the Speaker to ensure funds for the development of Dharwad railway station on the lines of Hubli station.