Aligarh's dream of air connectivity now appears closer than ever. This ambitious project, which was stuck for years, has now reached a crucial juncture, as the administration has started taking the land acquisition process forward at a fast pace. The obstacles that had stalled airport expansion for a long time now seem to be being removed one by one.

SIA process in final stage, public hearing in six villages from 8 to 11 December

The most important Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for Aligarh Airport expansion is now almost complete. In this sequence, the administration will organize public hearing in six villages between 8th to 11th December, where villagers will be able to register their opinions, suggestions and objections.

SDM Col Mahima Rajput said that according to the guidelines of Civil Aviation Department and Civil Aviation Section-6, publication of SIA report and public hearing is a mandatory process. This report has been prepared as per the standards set by Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida. Rural reports can be viewed at the Land Acquisition Officer's office of the District Collectorate, Tehsildar's coal office and village heads. Additionally, the report is also available on the district website and the portal of the Civil Aviation Department.

Complete program of village wise public hearing

• 8 December – Panchayatghar Khangarhi – Ikri Khangarhi
• 9 December – Primary School Borona, Pikhlauni and Nizamatpur Borona
• 10th December – Alhadpur
• 11 December – Upper Primary School Panaiti

The administration has appealed to the affected villagers and land owners for mandatory presence at the scheduled time, so that the acquisition process can be completed in a transparent and easy manner.

275 hectares of land required, 185 hectares already purchased

A total of 275 hectares of land is required for the airport expansion, which includes 31 hectares of government and 244 hectares of private land. This land is to be acquired from about one thousand farmers. Till now, the administration has purchased 185 hectares of land under consent-based purchase by paying compensation four times the circle rate. This process has progressed smoothly so far.

59 hectares of private land became the biggest challenge

The most challenging part was the remaining 59 hectares of private land, where the acquisition was stuck due to several legal disputes, incomplete deeds, demand for residential rate compensation and houses being built on some of the plots. There is about 15 hectares of such land, where the deed of sale has been done but the ownership is not registered in Khatauni. Keeping these complex situations in mind, the district administration had sent a proposal to the government to implement Direct Acquisition based on the Jewar Airport model. Now this proposal has been approved, due to which the process is expected to move forward rapidly.

738 crore project will get new momentum

As the final phase of acquisition is moving towards completion, the hope of gaining momentum in the Aligarh Airport expansion work has increased. This Rs 738 crore mega project after completion will provide better air connectivity to Aligarh nationally and internationally. This step towards the development of Aligarh can prove to take the economic, industrial and tourism potential of the city to new heights.