Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb. 12: A team of experts from the State Land Records and Survey today started a fresh survey of the exact area of Malda airport’s land under encroachment. The survey would continue till 14 February. The airport officials hope that the survey would settle disputes over certain plots of land encroached upon by locals, promoters and even a state government department like the fire service. The survey is fine but it has not impressed the people much. They are all concerned about when would the airport become operational. “At least nine acres out of 155 acres of the Airport Authority of India’s land continues to remain under encroachment,” said Mr SK Chanda, officer-in-charge of Malda airport.The airport officials have identified two plots numbering 461 and 459 that are in the clutch of encroachers. The official accused the land and land reformation department for letting these plots go to the private builders by not updating and lingering the process of the land records. Pointing out the particular house of one Achintya Sarkar which falls under the airport land he said: “I raised objection against the structure back in 1993, but the BLLRO took 10 long years to refer it to court." He also pointed out the multistory building on the eastern side of the airport posed a threat to aircraft landing or taking off. “At present, we need to at least 800 metres of additional space on the western side for the extension of the runway for which we have proposed to acquire lands", he added. The administration has also spotted mobile towers, brick kilns and hotels which might pose hindrance to smooth landing of planes.
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