TIRUCHY: Work on expanding the Tiruchy airport began on Thursday with Revenue department officials marking buildings in J K Nagar as part of the land acquisition process. The airport terminals are to be expanded at a cost of `867 crore and land acquisition is to be completed before December 15. The new terminal building would come up adjacent to the existing structure on an area of 60,723 sq. metres.
Of the total 346.32-acre expanse spread across the villages of Nathamavadipatti and Kizhakalkandarkottai, 116.66 acres considered to be ‘Wetland’ was a subject of controversy due to which the project had been delayed.
The remaining portions were ‘poramboke’ and ‘dry’, 40.89 acres and 188.77 acres, respectively. Once the acquisition is completed, the expansion project would take off, revenue officers said..
On Thursday, revenue officials comprising Tiruchy East tahsildar Manikandan, deputy tahsildar Tamilselvi, revenue inspector Gomathi, PWD officials and Cantonment police arrived at the spot for the survey.
A senior official said 300 houses have been identified as part of the project and 42 homes marked for acquisition on the first day.
Carrying measuring tapes, revenue officers checked dimensions of the houses so that owners could be compensated or relocated.
Collector K Rajamani said a detailed report would soon be prepared to determine compensation and relocation.
It may be recalled that revenue authorities went to the same location a week ago to carry out the survey, but residents protested. On Thursday, they returned with police protection.
Residents were upset at the prospect of relocation, especially as they had settled down after receiving all clearances. Most house owners have allegedly spent huge sums on building homes.
42 homes marked on Day I
A senior official said 300 houses have been identified as part of the project and 42 homes marked for acquisition on the first day. Officers checked dimensions of the houses so that owners could be compensated or relocated.