Kerala CM flags obstacles in Kannur airport runway expansion project

Kannur airport's runway expansion project has encountered significant implementation hurdles, with Kerala's Chief Minister highlighting delays in land acquisition nearly seven years after the notification was issued in 2017.

The proposed expansion requires acquisition of 99.3235 hectares in the Keezhallur area, but the process has not yet begun on the ground. Officials are now reassessing the site's suitability for the intended runway expansion work, raising questions about the project's viability in its current form.

Residents of the affected area have emerged as another major obstacle to project progression. Local communities have rejected the rehabilitation and resettlement package offered by the state authorities, instead demanding either the original package terms or a flat compensation of ₹15 lakh per affected household. The standoff has effectively stalled land acquisition efforts.

The dual challenges—technical concerns about site suitability and local opposition to compensation terms—have forced a review of the expansion plan. Officials have not indicated a timeline for resolving either issue, leaving the project's future uncertain as the state seeks to enhance connectivity infrastructure at the northern Kerala airport.