Call to shift airport site in Mandi

Tribune News Service

Mandi, October 31

The Balh Bachao Sangharsh Samiti is opposing the construction of the proposed airport at Nagchala in Mandi district, which is a dream project of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

The CM convened a meeting of officials in Shimla yesterday and asked them to expedite the process.

Joginder Walia, president of the samiti, said: “The samiti is opposing the decision to construct an airport on the fertile land of the Balh valley in Mandi. Over 2,000 families of farmers will be displaced, which is not acceptable to us.”

“We are urging the government to shift the proposed site to Jahu, the junction point of Mandi, Bilaspur and Hamirpur, where the 80 per cent of the government land is available,” he added.

“How can the government take the decision without the consent of farmers. People will stage massive protests, if the government does not pay heed to our demands,” he said.

Jahu is a suitable place for the proposed international airport, where 3,150 metre-long airstrip could be constructed. At Nagchala, the airstrip would be only 2,150 metre-long.

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