CM cites hurdles in Kannur airport runway expansion plan

The state government announced plans to extend the runway at Kannur International Airport to accommodate larger aircraft and increase flight capacity. The proposal requires the acquisition of about 99.32 hectares of land in the Keezhallur region, a move that was first notified in 2017. Since that time, the acquisition process has not moved forward, leaving the project in limbo and raising concerns among local officials about missed economic opportunities.

Local residents have become increasingly vocal after the government released a rehabilitation package that they consider insufficient. The community leaders argue that the compensation does not reflect current market values and that the package fails to address the loss of agricultural land and homes. They have asked the authorities to either revert to the original compensation scheme or to provide a lump sum of ₹15 lakh per affected family, a figure they say matches the cost of relocating and rebuilding.

The state cabinet is now reviewing the suitability of the Keezhallur site for the runway extension, with engineers reporting that the terrain may not support the required expansion without extensive earthwork. If the site proves unsuitable, the government may need to identify an alternative location, which could further delay the project. For readers in India, the outcome matters because the airport is expected to boost tourism, create jobs, and improve connectivity for the northern Kerala region, all of which have direct economic implications for the state.