Ranchi Airport expansion plan faces mob fury

The Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) ambitious plan to expand Birsa Munda Airport at Ranchi faced agitation from land owners who blocked the entrance, forcing the police to deploy riot control personnel. The airport sprawls over 1,568 acres and has a runway length of 8,900 ft. The expansion blueprint envisages an additional 1,500 ft of runway, which requires over 400 acre. While the AAI has approached the army for 180 acre, the remaining land will be acquired from Hinoo, Hundru, Hetu, Hastand, Katte Toli and Chandadhansi. Land is also required for an approach road to the new terminal building. The road that leads to the main gate from Hinoo Chowk needs to be extended by 200 metre to connect to the proposed entrance of the integrated terminal. Also, a 2.5 km stretch will be widened to 30 ft to link all villages in the vicinity to the airport. According to villagers, AAI has not specified details of compensation, which left scope for deception.