The Vellore district administration has initiated the process to acquire over 300 acres of farmland across four villages to expand the regional airport located on NH 48.

  • Over 300 acres of land in four villages will be acquired for airport expansion.
  • Identified villages include Poigai, Abdullapuram, Anpoondi, and Pudur.
  • The acquired land will eventually be handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

In a significant move to bolster regional aviation, the district administration in Vellore has announced plans to acquire more than 300 acres of farmland for the expansion of the new airport situated on the Chennai–Bengaluru National Highway (NH 48). Revenue officials have already commenced the mapping process to identify specific plots in the surrounding agricultural belts.

Land Identification and Survey Details

Following instructions from District Collector P.S. Leela Alex, revenue officials are conducting a massive exercise to earmark the necessary land. The primary villages identified for this acquisition are Poigai, Abdullapuram, Anpoondi, and Pudur. The administration is currently scrutinizing land deeds and survey numbers to distinguish between government-owned lands, private patta lands, and government wastelands.

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Once the mapping is complete, field-level surveyors will assess the total compensation required for private landowners. As per statutory norms, the State Government will undertake the acquisition for public utility, subsequently transferring ownership to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) upon completion of compensation disbursements.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this expansion is critical for transforming Vellore from a small regional stop into a significant aviation hub. By increasing the capacity beyond the current 20-seater aircraft limit, the airport can better serve the growing connectivity demands between Tier-2 cities and metropolitan hubs.

The expansion of the Vellore airstrip is a strategic necessity to meet the rising demand for regional air connectivity under the UDAN scheme.

The move follows high-level discussions involving Rajya Sabha MP L.K. Sudhish and Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, the latter of whom had specifically requested additional land to facilitate larger-scale operations.

Historical Background

The Vellore airport was sanctioned under the second phase of the UDAN-RCS (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme. Initially designed as a modest airstrip capable of handling only eight-seater aircraft, it has undergone incremental upgrades to accommodate 20-seater planes, connecting the region to major hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

Did You Know?: The expansion is expected to be accelerated due to the airport's strategic location directly adjacent to a major National Highway.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which villages are affected by this land acquisition?
The identified villages are Poigai, Abdullapuram, Anpoondi, and Pudur.

2. Who will manage the airport after expansion?
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will hold ownership and manage the expanded facility.