Government Extends Land Acquisition Deadline for Gaggal Airport Expansion to June 30 Next Year

The Himachal Pradesh government has extended the deadline for land acquisition for the expansion of Gaggal Airport in Kangra district until June 30, 2026, ensuring that the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report for the project remains valid.

According to a notification issued by Devash Kumar, Principal Secretary (Tourism and Civil Aviation), the extension was necessary to prevent the SIA report—submitted by the expert group on June 5, 2023—from expiring before the completion of land acquisition proceedings.

Under Section 11 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, if a notice for land acquisition is not issued within 12 months of the SIA report’s evaluation, the report lapses automatically.

The state government plans to extend the existing 1,376-metre runway to approximately 3,010 metres to allow the landing of Boeing aircraft, a move expected to boost tourism and connectivity in the region. The total cost of land acquisition is estimated at ₹1,900 crore, of which ₹410 crore has already been paid to affected villagers.

The expansion project requires the acquisition of 122 hectares of private land across 14 villages—10 in Kangra tehsil and four in Shahpur tehsil—along with 26 hectares of government-owned land. The designated agency will issue a formal notification for this under Section 11 of the 2013 Act.

Authorities have already acquired over 50% of the required land in nine villages around the Gaggal Airport area. However, due to “unavoidable administrative delays,” the remaining acquisition process could not be completed within the stipulated time frame.

Citing powers granted under Section 14 of the 2013 Act, the government has officially extended the acquisition period to June 30, 2026.

The state government has also sought financial assistance from the Centre for the expansion, though it is still awaiting a positive response. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has written to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, requesting special central aid for the project. To support this vision, the state’s Congress government recently declared Kangra as the “Tourism Capital” of Himachal Pradesh.

Key Facts:

• Total estimated cost of land acquisition: ₹1,900 crore
• Amount already disbursed to affected villagers: ₹410 crore
• Total land to be acquired: 148 hectares (122 ha private + 26 ha government land)
• Runway expansion: from 1,376 m to approximately 3,010 m
• New completion deadline: June 30, 2026