Plan for plot offer to vacate airport land

TT, Siliguri, Dec. 4: The Darjeeling district administration is planning to buy 1.16 acres of land needed to install the Instrumental Landing System at Bagdogra Airport by offering the owners alternative plots in addition to the compensation that is 1.5 times the market value of the land.

According to Airport Authority of India sources, it needs a total of 24.16 acres for installing ILS to guide planes at night and during inclement weather. Out of the 24.16 acres, 9.97 acres are with the Indian Air Force, which will install the ILS. Of the remaining 14.19 acres, the state owns 12.91 acres.

However, out of the 1.28 acres, there is a temple on 0.12 acres, while five families own the rest 1.16 acres.

"The five families are not ready to accept the compensation at the rate offered by the state government, that is, 1.5 times the official value of the land. On one hand, the state can't pay more, while on the other hand, the families are not ready to vacate the land. So, we are pondering over a proposal to offer them alternative land, along with the compensation," said a source in the district administration.

A road that is passing through the land required to be acquired for the ILS has been shifted. The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority is building the new road. The electric poles have been shifted from the land and the temple on the plot will also be relocated.