Land acquisition for Jewar airport to start by January-end

NOIDA: The district administration will start acquiring 1,334 hectares for Jewar airport by January-end, divisional commissioner Anita Meshram said on Friday.

According to her, the administration had sent its report on the land to the state government under Section 19 of Land Acquisition Act. The acquisition will start once the notification is issued.

The administration had done rigorous exercises for the project and got clearance at different levels, she said. “We are in a position to start land acquisition. Hopefully, the process will start by January-end. The airport will change the economy of this area and bring more development,” she said.

Meshram said that Jewar is suitable for airport project due to its strategic location and proximity to Delhi, Noida and other states like Rajasthan and Haryana. “This is also an ideal location as there are no major development projects, wetland or heritage site in neighbourhood which would be affected,” she said.

The commissioner said that a good airport must have excellent network through roadways for last mile connectivity. A multi-modal transport hub and logistic hub are also developed in Greater Noida.

“This will provide excellent road connectivity to Jewar airport. The site will be connected to all the neighbouring cities and states through road, railway and metro. We are also planning a rapid rail network between Meerut and Delhi via Jewar and Noida,” she said.

The airport project will be developed in four phases. The state government and Noida Authority will fund 37.5% each while Yamuna Authority and Greater Noida Authority will share 12.5% each. Yamuna Authority on Thursday submitted its Rs 74 crore development fund to the state government.

The state government has also released Rs 2,852 crore as compensation for farm owners.

The acquisition process appears delayed as chief minister Yogi Adityanath had directed Noida administration last November to complete the formalities by December 15. The administration, however, said the acquisition process is on time and the entire land will be acquired by February-end.

Balram Singh, additional district magistrate (land acquisition) said they received farmers’ consent and conducted door-to-door survey and a prepared rehabilitation & resettlement report. “We completed the report and submitted it to government. The acquisition process and compensation distribution will start once a notification is issued,” he said.

Local residents also demanded that the project be named “Jewar airport” to reflect regional identity. The divisional commissioner said that the project’s name and inauguration date have not been finalized.

Last month, Yamuna Authority had submitted the airport project’s bid document to central government and a nod is awaited.