NOIDA—The process of acquiring land for the third and fourth phases of Noida International Airport has commenced, with district officials working to secure approval from affected farmers, as published by The Economic Times.
The acquisition involves 15,691 landowners, but only 37% have consented so far. Under the Land Acquisition Act, at least 70% approval is required to proceed.
A total of 2,053 hectares is slated for acquisition, of which 1,889 hectares are privately owned farmland, while the remainder belongs to the government. The acquisition will impact 14 villages, displacing thousands of families. Among the largest affected villages, Thora has 583 hectares marked for acquisition, affecting 3,511 families, though only 15% have consented. In Neemka Shahjahanpur, which spans 301 hectares and includes 1,726 families, only 8% have agreed. Similarly, in Kwajpur, covering 272 hectares with 1,826 families, just over 12% have given their approval.
Other villages such as Ramner, with 213 hectares and 2,215 affected families, have shown more progress, with over 30% of landowners consenting. Kishorpur, covering 95 hectares and impacting 2,084 families, has recorded 48% approval. Officials are also in negotiations with landowners in Banwaribans, Parohi, and Mukimpur Shivara to increase participation.
Smaller villages, including Rohi, Bankapur, and Dyantapur, also face resistance, albeit on a smaller scale. To streamline the process, district officials have appointed contact officers for each village, with dedicated teams engaging landowners in discussions.
Despite efforts, many farmers remain reluctant to part with their land, citing concerns over rehabilitation packages. Their demands include increased compensation, alternative land provisions, and guarantees of 20% residential plots in exchange for farmland. Some also seek the option of agricultural land instead of residential plots.
The state government recently raised compensation rates to Rs 4,300 per square meter from the Rs 3,100 per square meter offered during the second phase of acquisition. This move aims to address farmer concerns and facilitate smoother negotiations.
The first phase of the Noida International Airport project involved acquiring 1,334 hectares, and a validation flight was recently conducted. Commercial operations are slated to begin by April this year. Authorities are intensifying their efforts to meet the 70% approval threshold to ensure timely progress in subsequent phases of the project.