In a significant step towards the expansion of Jolly Grant Airport, the district administration has appointed Rishikesh Sub-Divisional Magistrate Yogesh Mehra as a special magistrate. District Magistrate Savin Bansal issued orders in this regard on Wednesday.
The special magistrate has been appointed to make the process of land acquisition, compensation distribution, and rehabilitation for the airport expansion project smooth, transparent, and time-bound.
According to the order issued by the District Magistrate, the responsibility for the effective implementation of all proceedings under the RFCTLARR Act, 2013 (The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act), will lie with the special magistrate/nodal officer. The special magistrate will carry out the acquisition-related procedures by establishing coordination with all relevant departments, including the Airport Environment Management Committee (AEMC).
All concerned departments, including the Doiwala tehsil administration, have been instructed to provide the necessary records, reports, and support to the special magistrate promptly. Additionally, urban local bodies, the Forest Department, and other departments have also been directed to ensure coordination so that there are no hindrances at any stage.
Due to increasing air traffic and a rise in tourism, the Char Dham Yatra, and industrial activities in Uttarakhand, the need to expand the runway and increase terminal capacity has been consistently felt. Previously, the process was delayed due to issues such as compensation, rehabilitation, and environmental clearances related to land acquisition.
After several rounds of talks and surveys, the administration has now prepared to bring it to a decisive stage. District Magistrate Savin Bansal has clarified in the order that the acquisition process will be in accordance with the provisions of the RFCTLARR Act, so that affected families can receive the benefits of fair compensation, rehabilitation, and resettlement.
The special magistrate will submit a report after coordinating with the concerned sub-divisional magistrate, tehsil administration, and other departments, based on which further action will be taken. The airport expansion is expected to directly benefit not only Dehradun but the entire state of Uttarakhand.
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The expanded runway and modern facilities will enable the movement of larger aircraft, which will create new opportunities for tourism, investment, and employment. This step, taken at the administrative level, is being considered crucial for the expansion of Jolly Grant Airport.
This has also been done because the Doiwala Sub-Divisional Magistrate, who was previously handling this responsibility, is often on protocol duty, which was causing delays in the project. IndiGo flight between Dehradun and Noida to start from March 29, will benefit air passengers. Malfunction in the automation system in Delhi, flights to Uttarakhand are arriving late for the second consecutive day.