MARGAO
In a significant development, Airport Authority of India’s proposal to the South Goa district administration for conversion of land acquired for Dabolim airport parking for the construction of barracks for the Central Industrial Reserve Force (CISF), including armory, ammunition and a dog kennel, stands rejected by the government.
That’s not all. The government has told the South district administration to explore the possibility of reverting the acquired land admeasuring 19,495 sq mts under survey No. 9/1-A, since the purpose for which the land was acquired does not seem to be now required as per the request from the acquiring department to change the use of land.
The decision to reject the AAI’s request to change the use of land has been communicated to the district administration by Under Secretary (Rev-I) Ashutosh Apte a week ago. The government decision implies that the ruling dispensation is not in favour of the change of use of the acquired land and that the authorities are free to get the acquired land reverted back and use the land as per the purpose for which it was acquired.
“The matter for change of land use moved by the AAI was placed before the government and after due examination the said proposal has been rejected by the government. Further, it is desired to request you to explore the possibility of reversion of land under survey No 9/1-A of Dabolim village of Mormugao taluka as the purpose for which it was acquired does not seem to be now required as per request from the acquiring department to change the use of land”, Apte wrote to the South Goa district in his letter dated November 24.
A senior district administration official informed that the authorities will soon set in motion the process to get the land reverted back since the AAI in its proposal for change in use of land was categorical in stating that it plans to use the acquired for the CISF barracks and a dog kennel.
The AAI had knocked the doors of the South Goa district administration earlier this year in April 2016 for conversion of the land in question, which was acquired for parking under the Dabolim airport expansion project. The file for land conversion, however, was confined to the record books of the district Collectorate since then, before the matter reached the state administration around two months ago.
The Goan had in September last highlighted the proposal mooted by the Airports Authority of India as the AAI Director B C H Negi had defended the project saying the land in question was acquired for parking as well as for allied activities, including construction of CISF barracks, armory, ammunition, etc, and dog kennel. In fact, Negi had then pointed out that the CISF barracks, armory, ammunition and the dog kennel also form part of the airport expansion project.
Officials in the district administration informed that the authorities concerned had raised objection for the change in land use by raising a question whether land acquired for one purpose can be converted for another purpose.
The land in question was notified for acquisition for expansion of the Dabolim Airport for Parking way back on August 6, 2009 in Dabolim village before the process was finally completed three years later in 2012.
***
THEN
- In Sept, AAI applies for conversion of land, acquired for Dabolim airport parking, to construct barracks for CISF, including armory, ammunition and a dog kennel- AAI defends project, saying the area acquired for parking was also meant for other allied activities, including construction of CISF barracks, etc, as it was part of airport expansion
*
NOW
- Government rejects AAI's proposal; directs South district administration to explore possibility of reverting the land
- Authorities also raise objection for the change in land use, by questioning whether land acquired for one purpose can be converted for another
