Even as brisk preparations are on for the grand opening of the Greenfield Airport at Pakyong in Sikkim by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23 next, locals affected by the airport project are expecting that Modi would also lend an ear to their grievances and provide relief during his inaugural speech.
The affected residents who had lost their land and houses affected because of the airport project during an interacting with media in Gangtok apprised of the damages caused and issues related to compensation and rehabilitation.
The affected families who have filed a petition before the High Court of Sikkim maintained that inauguration of the airport was not right before the final hearing of the case which is still subjudice.
The affected families have been demanding that the compensation for houses and land be paid as per the amended Land Acquisition Act rates.
They further cited an affidavit submitted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) stating that the project requires an additional 60 acre land towards hill side to construct protection walls.
Recently, the affected family members also met Governor Ganga Prasad and submitted their grievances on the airport matter.
The affected locals have also planned to stage a peaceful dharna on the inauguration day if their requests are not addressed to in proper manner.