The expansion of Mamnoor Airport in Warangal is likely to face delays as farmers from Gunturpally, Gadipally, and Nakkalapally villages are refusing to vacate their lands without prior compensation. Despite receiving notices to stop cultivation, the small and marginal farmers insist they will continue farming unless the promised payments are deposited in their bank accounts.
The airport expansion project, approved by the central government in February, requires 950 acres of land. While 696 acres are already available, the remaining 260 acres are being acquired from around 200 private landowners. The State government had released ₹205 crore in November 2023 to facilitate the land acquisition process.
Following several meetings between the district administration, public representatives, and farmers, a compensation rate of ₹1.20 crore per acre was reportedly agreed upon. However, the delay in disbursement has led farmers to resume cultivation for the current agricultural season.
On Friday, the administration issued fresh notices asking farmers to halt farming activities. But the farmers, many of whom have cultivated the land for generations, are standing firm. They argue that agriculture is their only livelihood and are unwilling to surrender their land without receiving payment.
The ongoing standoff threatens to push back the project timeline, even as the government aims to fast-track the expansion of the airport to boost regional connectivity. Until the compensation issue is resolved, the project remains in limbo.
(This story is sourced from a third-party syndicated feed. Raavi Media takes no responsibility or liability of any nature. Raavi Media management/ythisnews.com can alter or delete the content without notice for any reason.)