Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb. 1. — The Malda district magistrate has sent the estimated valuation of lands which would be required for acquisition for the extension of the Malda airstrip to the airport authorities, following a proposal by the officials of Airport Authority of India. According to the district magistrate, the valuation of land is Rs 13 lakh per acre. The district magistrate has expressed his unhappiness about dillydallying the revival project as proposed by the airport authorities. “While the Cooch Behar airstrip is ready for taking off of flights, why the demand of the Malda people is being ignored where there is a commercial viability?”, the district magistrate, Mr Abhijit Choudhuri, said. He also said the existing land was enough for revival of the project by running a small aircraft here but the time is running out for the verification of its lands. Owing to the request of the railway authorities the joint survey of the present airport land has been stopped for a month to check the railway records in relation with the transfer of lands from airport to the railways. The district magistrate said the airport authority had demanded more lands on the western side of the present airstrip, and the land is ready and we are waiting for the airport authority’s acquisition. “I have sent the proposal long time back with an estimated value of the present lands for acquisition but the authority is yet to respond”, Mr Choudhuri said. A parliamentary team visited Malda under the leadership of Mr Nilotpal Basu and ensured the local administration and others that they would propose the government for its revival by introducing small aircraft and latter there would be another proposal for landing Boeing aircraft. Local political leaders said owing to financial problems the airport authorities are delaying the project with other excuses.
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