Strong opposition raised against Airport expansion plan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 20: Asserting its stand against the proposal of the Government to upgrade Tulihal airport by acquiring 512 acres of land from Malom and its adjoining areas, the JAC Against the Acquisition of Land for Expansion and Extension of Imphal Airport has argued extensively on why it stands against the land acquisition move.

In a statement, the JAC said that the fertile valley area of the State has been shrinking with each passing year as the Government has taken over large tracts of agricultural land under the excuse of taking up developmental projects.

A sketched map of the area to be affected by the expansion

Even the hill areas have not been spared, said the JAC and cited the example of Mapithel Dam and Khuga Dam.

Questioning why such a large tract of land is needed for the proposed expansion, the JAC said that even the Gopinath Bordoloi Airport at Guwahati with only one runway is able to handle at least 45 to 50 flights per day, while the Tulihal airport at present handles only 8 or 9 flights in a day.

The number of flights per day is also likely to be reduced given the fact that most of the people of Manipur cannot afford to fly.

The JAC also questioned the wisdom of upgrading Tulihal airport to an international airport and added that there will only be a few handful of people from Manipur who will be in the position to travel abroad by air.

Moreover it will not be easy for foreigners to come directly to Imphal for the Restricted Area Permit is in force in the State, the JAC argued.

The Airport Authority of India is trying to mislead the people of Manipur by coming up with the alibi of developing Tulihal airport, claimed the JAC.

Giving further details on why it is opposed the land acquisition proposal, the JAC said that the 512 acres of land comprise about 825 sangams of cultivable land.

Moreover, there are many dwelling houses which have been built with great financial investment, said the JAC and added that this also means that the people will be shunted out from their ancestral residences.

The income generated by the 512 acres of land is anywhere about Rs 3 crore annually, said the JAC and explained that the income is generated through the paddy harvested, vegetables as well as pisciculture.

The produce from this land does not only support about 1 lakh people, living in the affected area as well as in the adjoining areas, claimed the JAC.

It would amount to robbing the right to life of about 1.5 lakh people, if the Government were to give away to the land to an autonomous body like the Airport Authority of India, said the JAC.

For the last many years, the people of the area had to bear the noise pollution caused by the flights said the JAC and added that this has also grossly affected the schools and other educational institutions located along the area.

If the number of flights is to increase it will mean more pollution which can have a negative impact on the ecology of the land.

The JAC further contended that the recent decision of the Government to pull down the floors exceeding three floors, in the backdrop of the upgraded airport, will invoke strong opposition.

Recalling WW II, the JAC said that the Japanese troops attacked the British force which had occupied the land near the airport and observed that there is no guarantee such an incident not occurring in the future.

Putting an international airport at the border State is highly risky, it said and added that it would mean exposing the people of the area to dangers.

Cargo planes will also not be able to meet the requirements of the people of Manipur, it added.