Kangra airport expansion: Rs 2,262 crore compensation distributed to affected families, says DC

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Dharamshala, July 2

The land acquisition and rehabilitation process for the Kangra Airport expansion project has reached its final stage, with Rs 2,262 crore already disbursed to affected families, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said.

Bairwa said approximately Rs 3,200 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition, rehabilitation, and resettlement (R&R) under the project. Of this, Rs 2,262 crore has already been distributed to eligible beneficiaries.

He said a portion of the remaining compensation is pending due to mutual land disputes and civil litigation. Under the rehabilitation plan, R&R awards are yet to be declared in only four revenue estates, while the process has been completed in all other areas.

The Deputy Commissioner said the government recently released Rs 90 crore, which has already been transferred to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. He added that a request for the remaining funds has been sent to the government, and pending payments will be made once the funds are released.

According to Bairwa, nearly 70 percent of the total funds required for the project have already been provided by the government. Since part of the remaining amount is linked to unresolved land disputes, he said the entire land acquisition and rehabilitation process is expected to be completed after the release of around 15 percent of the total required funds.

He further said that in areas where affected residents have given their consent, the Tourism Department has started taking possession of land and buildings. As per the Land Acquisition Act, possession is taken by the concerned department after compensation and rehabilitation benefits have been distributed, and the process is progressing accordingly.

Bairwa said no protests or deadlock had emerged during the land acquisition process. He added that the district administration is organising camps to collect documents from affected families and is providing compensation based on eligibility.

He expressed confidence that the land acquisition and rehabilitation process, which is being carried out through mutual consent, would be completed soon.