COIMBATORE: The ongoing expansion work at Coimbatore International Airport has hit a roadblock, with construction of the compound wall stalled due to the absence of approach roads to several land parcels acquired for the project. Residents and farmers from areas around Chinniyampalayam and Irugur have continued to oppose the work, alleging discrepancies in the land acquisition process and lack of access to their remaining properties.On Saturday, residents intervened and stopped the contractor from carrying out the compound wall construction. Following the protest, district collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanar and Sulur MLA N M Sukumar conducted a joint inspection at the site in the presence of airport officials.During the inspection, residents claimed that more than 50 landowners had been left without a proper road access due to the expansion work. They urged the authorities to ensure a service road before proceeding with the compound wall.R Velumani, convenor of Vivasaayigal Vazhvurimai Padhukapu Iyakkam, said the original proposal included a 200-foot road, of which 40 metre was meant for the Airport Authority of India, and 10.5-metre service roads were to be provided on both sides. “However, the 10.5-metre service road on the southern side is now being brought inside the airport boundary wall. We are demanding that the Centre give concurrence to the district collector to ensure that the road is retained for public use,” he said.Jaganathan, a resident, said access to parcels of land along the proposed runway area had been affected. “Authorities have agreed only to a four-metre road, which is too narrow. For govt utilities such as electricity and water connections, a 10.5-metre-wide road is required. DTCP approval will also not be issued for land with only a four-metre road. Moreover, in case of any emergency situation, neither and ambulance nor a fire tender will be able to come.” he said.Padmapriya T, 45, said her land had been left stranded between the proposed compound walls. “Of my 48.5 cents, around 10 cents, where we had rented shops and rooms, were acquired. We have lost our income. The remaining 38 cents have no road access. The AAI should acquire the remaining land too,” she said.Sulur Sukumar told TOI that he would take up the matter with the highways minister. “Unless written approval is given for the 10.5-metre road, the compound wall work should not proceed,” he said.
