Kangra Airport expansion: Affected villagers seek more time to vacate homes

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Dharamshala, July 7

Residents of Rachhiyalu and Kiodia Mol villages affected by the Kangra Airport expansion project approached Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa on Tuesday, requesting additional time to vacate their homes as they complete resettlement and house construction.

The affected families said they were not opposed to the airport expansion but wanted sufficient time to relocate with dignity after completing land registration, house construction, and other formalities.

Kiodia Mol resident Pankaj Sharma said notices directing residents to vacate their houses had been pasted in the village without adequate notice. He said several families were still completing the land measurement, registration and construction process for their new properties.

“We are not opposing the airport expansion, but we should be given enough time to settle properly in our new homes,” Sharma said.

Rachhiyalu Panchayat Pradhan Roshan Lal said delays in receiving compensation and rehabilitation assistance had prevented many affected families from completing their new houses and cattle sheds. He urged the administration to allow at least one to one-and-a-half years for residents to relocate in an organised manner with their families and livestock.

Rachhiyalu resident Niharika said affected families had not initially received complete information regarding compensation and rehabilitation benefits. She added that receiving notices to vacate their homes within 15 days had created significant difficulties, as most new houses were still under construction and many families had no completed shelter available.

Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said the land acquisition, compensation and rehabilitation process was nearly complete. He explained that, under the law, the department was required to take possession of the land after compensation had been paid.

However, Bairwa said cases involving families with genuine requirements for additional time would be examined individually.

“The administration will take further action only after considering the circumstances and genuine needs of the affected families,” he said.