Mangalore: Adyapady residents stop airport officials from surveying land

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Feb 13: The residents of Adyapady on Wednesday February 13 protested against the Mangalore Airport Authority for conducting survey for land acquisition forcibly and without issuing notices beforehand.

The locals claim that since three months, three people identified as a surveyor; horticultural officer, and village accountant, have been visiting the area with the intention of surveying the land for acquisition by the airport.

At first, these three officials had informed the locals that they had to survey the land about 60 meters from the boundaries of the airport. On their second visit, they allegedly claimed that they wanted to undertake a survey as there were trees rising more than 7 meters within 65 meters from the airport walls.

The locals had even lodged an online complaint to the deputy commissioner (DC) and submitted a memorandum with the signatures of 65 people, but no response was received. Instead, the officials paid a third visit without any intimation.

During their latest visit on Wednesday, they fixed the prices of certain trees and arrived with the intention of cutting them off. Angered by this sudden and surprise move by the Airports Authority, the locals gathered during the visit and forcibly stopped them from conducting the survey.

It is also learnt that the surveyor had threatened to cancel the ration cards and other facilities of those who opposed the survey. Sensing that the situation was getting out of hand, the surveyor, village accountant, and the horticultural officer called in the airport officials to the spot. Three airport officials including Jayaram and a civil engineer visited the spot to collect information.

However, the officials had to return empty-handed as they could do nothing to appease the protestors.

The locals have claimed that they have been facing many problems due to the Airport Authority which they say has been negligent of the issues and problems faced by them.

In order to chase away birds and animals, crackers are used by the security staff at the airport and these are sometimes thrown into the neighbouring compound posing great danger of fire if they accidently fall on dry grass.

They also claimed that the security staff also raise their voice at the locals if they find any thick smoke coming out of any house, either from inside the house or when waste is being burnt. The Airport Authority has been only focusing on development and widening but the locals have been completely neglected, they claim.

A new emergency gate has been constructed near Adyapady School, but residents of the surrounding area have complained that the place where the gate is constructed is a private land. They questioned how the gate could be constructed on a private property.

Joseph Pinto, Walter, K Rama, and Surekha were among the locals who shared their grievances with  Daijiworld.