Mattanur: The rehabilitation package for the airport has been regarded as one among the best in recent times which ensured that there was no major protest by the land-givers. Unlike in the case of Kochi airport, authorities here had to acquire land in a remote deserted area which was inhabited by none and called as ‘Moorkanparambu’ (residing place of king cobra). In 1998, when the proposal for the airport first came when E.K Nayanar was the CM, 198 acres of land was bought at Moorkanparambu from the locals for Rs 2,000 per cent.
“The market rate was below Rs 2,000 then,” says R. Sugathan, a native of Mattannur. The 2,000-acre area falls under Keezhallur grama panchayat and a portion in Mattannur Municipality. As many as 178 families lost land and houses and they got compensation in the range of Rs 25,000-Rs 1,00,000. “Special package was given for those who lost their house. 10 cents of land to construct house, 50 per cent more money than the market rate for their land and an assurance that one in the family would get job in KIAL or associated firms was the package,” recalled M. Rajan, Keezhallur gram panchayat president.
Even those who lost house along with 5 cents of land got 10 cents in return. People were allowed to take laterrite stones, wood and other things during the demolition of houses. The package won hearts and the initial protest rose from some quarters had an infant death. There are people who lost 10 acres of land and one among them bought MBBS seat for his grandson in Mangaluru under management quota. Kamala, a woman, DC met near to the airport entrance told that she lost 10 cents of land and house in the hilly area but got equal amount of land on roadside, Rs 50,000 per cent and amount to build new house. However, those rehabilitated near to the airport site shares concern about a further eviction in case of airport expansion in future.
