Land enquiry calls near Vellore airport irk AAI

In the past few days, Village Administrative Officers (VAOs) of Kuppam and Oosur areas located on the Odugathur road have reportedly received phone calls, with the caller asking about the availability of nearly 100 acres of land for defence related projects. The caller then specifically asked about the inflows into the Murukeri lake. Similarly, enquiries were also made about land availability at Jamalpuram which abuts the Vellore airport. Presently, development works are being undertaken at the airport for starting regular air services. 

“The callers were informed about the availability of 100 acres at Jamalpuram, which has cashew plantations in abundance,” revenue department officials told DT Next, on condition of anonymity.

When asked whether the enquiring calls had come to the notice of AAI, Regional Executive Director (Southern Re-gion) S Sreekumar said, “We know nothing about this. If it is true, then the district administration should inform us. No new industrial or defence project can come up near the airport without getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from us.”

Vellore district administration officials wore a suspicious look when this reporter sought their comment. “We have only been asked to consider handing over 55 acres for the runway expansion at Vellore airport. We do not have any information on defence or industrial projects being proposed near the airport,” they said. Collector SA Raman was not available for comment.