Farmers put spoke in wheel of airport's expansion

The Karnataka government's move to acquire additional land to facilitate the expansion of the Sambra Airport in Belgaum is facing stiff resistance from farmers.

The farmers are opposing the acquisition of lands in Sambra on the grounds that it will take away their only source of livelihood. The villagers have threatened to commit suicide if the state government proceeded with the acquisition.

Civil aviation minister Praful Patel, during his recent visit to Belgaum, had stated that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will take up expansion of the Sambra Airport soon after the state government provided the land required for the purpose. The minister had stated that upgrading the airport will open new vistas for Belgaum as it was close to Mumbai, Bangalore and Goa.

The AAI intends to equip the Sambra airport with state-of-the-art facilities, which include extension of the runway, building a new terminal and additional buildings to enable operation of flights at regular intervals. This will help connect Belgaum to Bangalore, Goa, Mumbai and other major cities in the country.This will be possible only if additional land is made available.

The farmers have their own woes. While the state has issued notices to the farmers to vacate the land for acquisition before January 16, the farmers argue that they will be deprived of fertile lands on which they have been depending on for their livelihood. It is to be seen if the state government succeeds in wooing the farmers into giving up their land or succumbs to pressure.