On 27 April 2018, hundreds of farmers and their family members laid a siege to the Salem collectorate to protest against land acquisition for airport expansion in the city [1]. The primary reason for the protest has been the safeguard of the land and livelihoods. The proposed expansion of the airport requires 567 acres of land. The land for the initial airport was acquired in 1989 from the parents and grandparents of those protesting now. When the Salem district administration began formalities to acquire lands for the expansion, the farmers and the residents strongly opposed. They also urged the district administration and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to drop land acquiring activity even as they were assured of huge amounts in compensation. The officials assured the land owners and the farmers that they would give four times of money than the government's guideline value. "But, we are not struggling for money and we protesting to save our livelihood," the farmers said. |
Expansion of the Salem airport and also the Chennai-Salem Expressway, requiring much fertile agricultural land, result in mass mobilization by the communities, and arrests of activists.
| Name | Expansion of Salem Airport, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Country | India |
| Province | Tamil Nadu |
| Site | Salem |
| Accuracy of Location | HIGH local level |
| Type of Conflict (1st level) | Infrastructure and Built Environment |
| Type of Conflict (2nd level) | Land acquisition conflicts Ports and airport projects |
| Specific Commodities | Land |
| Project Details | In 1993, the airport was started with 160 acres of land at Kamalapuram near Omalur. The length of the runway is about 6,000 ft and flights such as ATR-72, B-737-200 type can be landed easily. The airport also equipped with apron to park two aircrafts at a time. The ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) has taken efforts for expanding the airport after connecting the airport under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS). However, between its construction in 1993 to as late as 2018, the airport has been lying in disuse for over two decades. The MoCA needed additional of 570 acres to expand the airport. "If we get that additional 570 acre lands, we could lay runways up to 8,000 sqft to accommodate Boeing aircrafts," said an official from Salem Airport. He said warehouse and providing hanger services to provide maintenance to aircrafts would be set up in 100 acres. The newly proposed expansion falls under the Udan scheme, an initiative jointly funded by the Central and state governments across India that aims to 'let the common citizen fly'. The government has pumped in Rs 4,500 crore for the scheme. While the Centre will offer a lowered VAT, service tax and flexible code sharing, the state will subsidise jet fuel, provide security, fire service, electricity, water and land. The government hopes to increase regional connectivity and facilitate the growth of jobs and infrastructure In March this year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami inaugurated the revamped airport. The airport now operates one commercial flight to and from Chennai. The expansion is a part of the initiative of the Tamil Nadu state government for expanding six airports in the state, in Tuticorin, Trichy, Salem, Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai [4]. |
| Project Area (in hectares) | 230 |
| Type of Population | Rural |
| Potential Affected Population | 1000-1200 |
| Start Date | 01/01/2015 |
| Relevant government actors | Union Civil Aviation Ministry, Airport Authority of India, Tamil Nadu State Government |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | Salem Citizens' Forum. Coalition of Environmental Justice in India |
| Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| When did the mobilization begin | Mobilization for reparations once impacts have been felt |
| Groups Mobilizing | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Women Local scientists/professionals Religious groups |
| Forms of Mobilization | Involvement of national and international NGOs Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Media based activism/alternative media Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches Occupation of buildings/public spaces Refusal of compensation Hundreds of farmers and their family members laid a siege to the Salem district collectorate (gherao). |
| Environmental Impacts | Potential: Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide |
| Socio-economic Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Land dispossession Potential: Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
| Project Status | Under construction |
| Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Criminalization of activists Repression Strengthening of participation Violent targeting of activists |
| Do you consider this as a success? | No |
| Why? Explain briefly. | The protests are ongoing, and there is a lot of uncertainty about whether the government will listen to the communities decision to not give their land for the expansion of the airport. There is fear that there will be forceful takeover of the land by the military, and a lot of distrust. |
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| Contributor | Brototi Roy |
| Last update | 07/10/2018 |