TBM Staff - Mumbai The Tamil Nadu government has given administrative approval for the acquisition of 3,774.01 acres of patta lands to facilitate the construction of the second airport for Chennai. The proposed airport, located at Parandur in the Kancheepuram district, will boast two runways.
The acquisition will cover patta lands in Parandur and 19 other villages in the Kancheepuram district, amounting to a total land requirement of 5,746.18 acres. Compensation for the acquired lands will be determined in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Despite opposition from local residents concerned about potential displacement, the government aims to acquire the lands either through the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997, or through private negotiations. A Government Order (G.O.) issued on October 31 also granted administrative approval for the alienation of 1,917.17 acres of government lands.
The land acquisition process is expected to span at least two years, involving the creation of over 300 temporary posts. The proposal includes the acquisition of wetlands (nanjai) covering 1,085.62.33 hectares, for which inevitability certificates have been issued.
Compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement for affected families will align with the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The state government has approved a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement package, encompassing housing units, employment opportunities, subsistence grants, transportation support, costs for displaced families, cattle shed/petty shop expenses, one-time grants for artisans and small traders, one-time resettlement allowances, and coverage of stamp duty and registration fees.
Environmental considerations and mitigation measures for waterbodies and watershed management have been addressed in a Government Order issued by the Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department. The order ensures compliance with existing laws based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee, emphasizing that the additional storage capacity created will surpass the capacity affected by the project. The lands earmarked for acquisition are located in various villages in Kancheepuram taluk and Sriperumbudur taluk.
