Airport expansion: landowners seek fair assessment, price.

People whose lands are to be acquired for the Coimbatore airport expansion project submitted a petition to the district administration to take up a fair assessment of land value.

In their petition, they said that in October 2010, the district administration paved way for acquiring 613 acres in Uppilipalayam, Kalapatti, Singanallur and Irugur villages to expand the Coimbatore Airport.

The State Government then gave notices to the landowners in 2012 to record their objections/suggestions in arriving at the land value and acquiring land. At the talks, the officials projected a land value that was not acceptable to them. They, the landowners, rejected the suggestions, recorded their objections and walked out of the meeting. They were unable to mortgage, sell or lease out their lands. The petitioners also said that there was no information on the district administration’s promise for alternative housing for those who would stand to lose their houses if the lands were to be acquired. They want the district administration to expedite the process, fix a fair price for the land, and then proceed with estimating the building costs. The petitioners wanted the administration also value wells and other facilities on the land.

Close liquor shops

The Sulur unit of the Communist Party of India has urged the district administration to close two liquor retail outlets at Kannampalayam Pirivu and Pappampatti Pirivu. In a petition, the party’s secretary P. Mounasamy said that for long the residents of the area had been protesting against the presence of the shops.

In another petition, he urged the district administration to take steps to set up a primary health centre in Kannampalayam.

Bharat Sena plea

Bharat Sena on Monday petitioned the district administration to not place any restriction for Ganesh Chathurthi celebration on September 5. The administration and the police should let people install Ganesh idols during the celebration.

Stop sand smuggling

Tamil Nadu Vivasayeegal Sangam has urged the district administration to stop illegal mining on river banks. In a petition submitted at the grievances redress day meeting, the association’s district president S. Palanisamy said that the administration should take steps to stop illegal mining and transport of sand from River Noyyal, River Kousika and catchments of several streams. He alleged that smuggling was rampant in Madukkarai, Kinathukadavu, Pollachi and Annnur taluks.

The Hindu