RTI reply has revealed that land hasn’t been received by AAI. Sources say, the expansion of Coimbatore International Airport is facing delays as TN Government seeks compensation for land, in line with their policy on privatized land development.
Coimbatore: The expansion of Coimbatore International Airport has encountered significant delays due to unresolved land acquisition issues and compensation demands from the Tamil Nadu Government. According to an RTI reply by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of India has yet to receive the required land from the Tamil Nadu Government for the project's progression.
The Tamil Nadu Government had provided conditional entry permission on 11th September 2023 but is seeking compensation for the land, considering its potential sale to private developers. This request for compensation aligns with the state's policy regarding privatized land developments, especially for central government projects.
RTI reply from AAI
The Airports Authority of India (AAI), known for self-funding airport development through the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode in various cities, has earmarked an outlay of Rs 800 crores for the Coimbatore Airport. Notably, AAI has successfully completed projects in Trichy, Ayodhya, Pune, Vijayawada, Belagavi, Port Blair, Udaipur, and Thoothukudi, ranging from Rs 265 to Rs 1000 crores.
This delay in Coimbatore's case is representative of a growing trend where state governments are asserting their rights for fair compensation in land acquisition cases, especially when such lands are earmarked for privatization or development by private entities. The resolution of this dispute between the Tamil Nadu Government and the AAI is pivotal for the airport's expansion, impacting not only Coimbatore's connectivity and economic growth but also setting a precedent for similar cases nationwide.
The Tamil Nadu Government had provided conditional entry permission on 11th September 2023 but is seeking compensation for the land, considering its potential sale to private developers. This request for compensation aligns with the state's policy regarding privatized land developments, especially for central government projects.
RTI reply from AAI
The Airports Authority of India (AAI), known for self-funding airport development through the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode in various cities, has earmarked an outlay of Rs 800 crores for the Coimbatore Airport. Notably, AAI has successfully completed projects in Trichy, Ayodhya, Pune, Vijayawada, Belagavi, Port Blair, Udaipur, and Thoothukudi, ranging from Rs 265 to Rs 1000 crores.
This delay in Coimbatore's case is representative of a growing trend where state governments are asserting their rights for fair compensation in land acquisition cases, especially when such lands are earmarked for privatization or development by private entities. The resolution of this dispute between the Tamil Nadu Government and the AAI is pivotal for the airport's expansion, impacting not only Coimbatore's connectivity and economic growth but also setting a precedent for similar cases nationwide.