80 Gaggal families affected by Kangra airport expansion seek compensation

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Families living in Gaggal for decades seek fair compensation and rehabilitation, citing concerns over inadequate payouts and resettlement.

Kangra , August 21

Around 70-80 families from Panchayat Line in Gaggal, who are likely to be affected by the expansion of Kangra Airport, approached the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Friday seeking adequate compensation and a proper rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package.

The affected families, led by Panchayat Pradhan Damini Katoch, met the Deputy Commissioner and raised concerns about their rehabilitation, saying many have lived in the area for the past 60-70 years.

Katoch said the government had also allotted land to several of these families and urged the administration to consider their long-standing association with the area while determining compensation and rehabilitation measures.

She said the DC asked the delegation to submit old documents and relevant files related to the land and properties. The documents will be examined before further action is taken, and the matter is also expected to be brought before Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Katoch said the issue had earlier been discussed with the Chief Minister and Shahpur MLA, who, according to her, assured the affected families that they would not be left helpless due to the airport expansion and that the government would extend all possible assistance.

She raised concerns that compensation might be calculated at only one per cent, saying such an amount would not be sufficient for families to rebuild their lives.

Citing the situation of some households, Katoch said three to four families were living on plots measuring around three marlas in several places. She said compensation of only a few lakh rupees would make it extremely difficult for such families to purchase land and resettle elsewhere.

Katoch urged the state government and administration to ensure appropriate compensation and an R&R package for the affected families, taking into account their long-term residence and circumstances.

She expressed hope that the administration would act early and provide relief to families facing displacement due to the proposed Kangra Airport expansion.