Representative photo

BHOPAL: In a shocking development, encroachers in Satna grabbed over three fourth of the airport land. Officials of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) are shocked at the massive encroachment of the land.

Satna has an airstrip spread in 451 acres but in a startling revelation, the Airport Authority of India has said that 341 acres of land belonging to the AAI and part of the airstrip has been encroached upon.

The officials of AAI wrote a letter to the state government about the encroachment. Acting on the letter, the revenue department has asked the Satna collector to look into the issue.

ìSatna airport comes under AAI, New Delhi but in past 20 years people have encroached upon 341 acres out of total 451 acres of the land which is extremely unfortunate,î the AAI letter said.

Copy of the letter was sent to the collector in the month of May.

After the chief secretary took cognizance of the issue, matter was sent to the revenue department for action.

Additional secretary, revenue department, Rajesh Kumar Kaul has shot a letter to collector Satna Ajay Katesariya, on Thursday, asking him to take appropriate action. The letter also states that the action taken report should be sent to the revenue office as soon as possible.

The AAI has been asked for complete details of the encroachment including names and details of all encroachers. The letter ends with a comment terming encroachment on government land as very unfortunate.

Officials in Satna collector office confirmed about the letter but remained tightlipped on other questions.

A senior official wishing not to be named said that action would be taken very soon and the land belonging to the Airport Authority of India will be freed.

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