Technoeconomic Study To Decide Path Ahead For Parandur Airport
News Service
CHENNAI: A detailed feasibility study to consider land requirements and urban development aspects for the new airport will help the fate of Eganapuram and nearby villages and water bodies affected by the airport.
The delegation of eight villages, who met with ministers E.V. Velu, Tagam Thanarasu and T.M. Anbarasan, was confident that a feasibility study would be carried out, taking into account the complaints expressed at the October 15 meeting.
This is the second time the ministers are holding a meeting with villagers since Monday's protests, with numerous police teams deployed to Eganapuram and Nelvoin. G. Subramanyan, secretary of the Ekanapuram Village Welfare and Farmers Agency, told TNEE after meeting at his office that the ministers said the survey will determine the sustainability of the site as a new site is selected.
“The ministers informed the delegation that they had chosen the site. A feasibility study will determine the amount of land needed for the project. According to him, after the completion of feasibility studies, citizens will be informed, and decisions will be made jointly.
But the residents again ignored their protest. “The nighttime protests will continue,” Subramanian added. He said the government is not being tough because it listens patiently to how the airport works. The meeting was significant after the residents of the villages of Nelloi and Eganapuram took part in a protest against Greenfield Airport on Monday morning.
When asked if citizens had eliminated the presence of the police, Suramyanyan replied that the police left to prevent outsiders from joining the protest. The police track the whereabouts of foreigners.
Officials said they were answering questions from local residents about protecting water and natural streams so as not to affect upstream and downstream flows. A government statement said a committee of experts would be formed to study farmland, topographical changes in the area and waterways.
The district needs 4563.56 hectares, divided into 13 settlements. Of these, 3246.38 hectares are covered. The remaining 1317.18 hectares of land are owned by the Pormbok government. The project will affect a total of 1,005 homes as the government has offered to purchase the land at a price 3.5 times the market value.
The Review Consultant, to be selected on January 6, will also receive legal recognition and help manage the tender process for the proposed development model for Greenfield Airport.
