Around 70 to 80 families in the Gaggal panchayat of Kangra are facing displacement because of the proposed expansion of the Kangra airport. These families have now approached the state government with a clear demand — fair compensation and proper rehabilitation.
The affected families, led by Gaggal panchayat pradhan Damini Katoch, met with Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa and submitted a memorandum. In the memorandum, they stated that they have been living in the area for the past 60 to 70 years and that the government had allotted land to them.
Gaggal families raise concerns over homes and land
Damini Katoch raised the concerns of the affected families directly with the Deputy Commissioner. She said the families have been living in the Gaggal panchayat area for decades and are now facing uncertainty over their homes and land because of the airport expansion project.
According to Kullvi, the land acquisition process for the airport expansion has hit hurdles, with locals seeking fair compensation. The families fear what will happen to their homes and livelihoods if the project moves forward without proper rehabilitation plans in place.
Airport expansion project and land acquisition process
The expansion of the Kangra airport has been a key development project for the region. The state government has started the process to acquire land at Shahpur and Kangra tehsils for the expansion of the Gaggal airport, as noted in the Social Impact Assessment report.
The District Kangra administration has also issued notices regarding land acquisition for the Gaggal (Kangra) airport expansion, confirming that the project is moving forward at the administrative level.
For the families who have lived on this land for generations, the project brings deep uncertainty. They are not asking for the project to stop — they are asking for a fair deal.
Our Take: Fair compensation is non-negotiable for displaced families
To put it plainly, this is a classic case of development versus displacement. The Kangra airport expansion is important for the region's growth, but it cannot come at the cost of families who have called this land home for 60 to 70 years.
The families of Gaggal panchayat are not resisting progress. They are asking for what is rightfully theirs — fair compensation and proper rehabilitation. When the government allots land to people and they build their lives on it for decades, the state has a moral and legal responsibility to treat them with dignity when that land is needed for public projects.
The fact that these families had to submit a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner shows their anxiety. They fear being left without a home or a means to rebuild their lives. The government must address these concerns transparently and ensure that the compensation package reflects the true value of what these families are losing.
Development projects should not leave citizens feeling cheated. The state government must listen to the voices from Gaggal and set a precedent that progress and fairness can go hand in hand.