Gaggal Airport Expansion Gets Big Push: 9 Hectares Added, Land Deals Restricted in Kangra

The expansion of Gaggal Airport in Himachal Pradesh has taken a significant step forward, bringing both opportunity and concern for local residents. In a recent move, the state government has marked an additional nine hectares of land for building a peripheral road—an essential part of the airport’s ambitious upgrade plan.

But along with development comes restriction. Authorities have imposed a complete ban on land transactions in the identified area. This means no buying, selling, leasing, or transferring ownership without prior approval from the district administration. The decision affects land spread across 14 villages in Kangra and Shahpur subdivisions, aiming to prevent last-minute speculative deals that could disrupt the project.

Officials have also made it clear that any obstruction to government work will not be tolerated. Teams are now authorized to enter the land for surveys, measurements, and soil testing—key steps before the final construction begins.

With this latest addition, the total land required for the project has increased to 173 hectares. Out of this, 164 hectares have already been acquired, including a large portion of privately owned land. The acquisition is being carried out under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013, ensuring a structured and legal process.

According to District Tourism Development Officer Vinay Dhiman, a social impact assessment has already been conducted, followed by discussions with local communities. An expert panel reviewed the findings and concluded that the long-term public benefits outweigh the social impact.

For now, landowners still have a window of 60 days to raise objections. They can review all relevant documents and project details at the Sub-Divisional Officer’s office in Kangra.

Currently, Gaggal Airport operates with a short runway of just 1,376 metres, limiting it to smaller aircraft like ATR-72. This often leads to higher ticket prices and frequent disruptions, especially during bad weather. However, the proposed expansion will extend the runway to 3,010 metres—making it capable of handling larger aircraft such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.

This upgrade is expected to be a game-changer. Not only will it improve connectivity to major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, but it will also open new doors for tourism, local businesses, and job opportunities in the region.

For Kangra and nearby areas, this project is more than just infrastructure—it’s a step toward stronger economic growth and better connectivity with the rest of the country.

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