Year after nod, expansion of Karnal Aviation Club in limbo

Tribune News Service

Parveen Arora

Karnal, January 19

Almost a year after the nod from the High-Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC) headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and consent from over 70 per cent of the farmers for extending their land, the project of expansion and renovation of the Karnal Aviation Club seems to be in limbo.

The Haryana Civil Aviation Department is yet to acquire 28 acres, 2 kanal and 2 marla land for the expansion and it seems a difficult task as remaining six farmers, who have not offered their land yet, went to the court recently, challenging the Haryana Consolidation of Project Land (Special Provisions) Act, 2017 and demanded the farmers be given relief as per the provision of the Central Land Consolidation Act. Their land falls at the point where the airstrip will be expanded. A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared only after the complete land is purchased, said sources. After the expansion, the runway will be extended to 5,000 ft from 3,000 ft which at present, provides facility for landing of small and medium aircraft here.

Notice to remaining farmers

After purchasing the land from over 70 per cent of farmers, we have issued notices to remaining farmers and offered them land of equal value. —Gaurav Kumar, SDM, Karnal

Purchased land transferred to dept

The purchased land has already been transferred to the Haryana Civil Aviation Department. For the remaining land, we are making efforts. —Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner

Act against farming community

The Haryana’s Act is against the farmers, so we have challenged it. —Inderpreet Ahuja, Farmer

As per the project, the Haryana Civil Aviation Department requires 171 acres, 7 kanal and 7 marla land for this project. The government already owns 106 acres, 6 kanal and 14 marla and the department requires additional around 65 acres of land. So far, the government has purchased 36 acres, 6 kanal and 11 marla of land from over 70 per cent of farmers of Kulvehri village. The land at a distance upto 2 acres from the road has been purchased for Rs 87.50 lakhs per acre, while land at a distance of above 2 acres from the road for Rs 82.50 lakhs per acre.

In February 2021, the HPPC had given the nod for the expansion and renovation of the Karnal Aviation Club after over 70 per cent farmers had given their consent for the project. However, the district administration had already issued notices to 14 farmers under the Haryana Consolidation of Project Land (Special Provisions) Act 2017, and offered them land of equal value adjacent to their land or the same money which had been given to other farmers. “After purchasing the land from over 70 per cent of farmers, we have issued notices to remaining farmers and offered them land of equal value,” said Gaurav Kumar, SDM, Karnal, and nodal officer of this project. Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, said the purchased land had already been transferred to the Haryana Civil Aviation Department and for the remaining land they had been making efforts. Inderpreet Ahuja, a farmer, who did not offer land for the aviation club, said, “The Haryana’s Act is against the farmers, so we have challenged it.”

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.