Assam: Debabrata Saikia slams government over land acquisition for Aerocity Project

Staff reporter

Guwahati: The Leader of Opposition, Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia condemned the State Government's move to acquire over 410 bighas of land to develop an "Aerocity" near the Guwahati Airport for the Adani Group, calling it an anti-indigenous and pro-corporate step.

Saikia said that eviction notices have been issued to more than 1,116 families residing in Ramcharani Mouza (Garal village - 70 bighas), Mirzapur (257 bighas), and Azara (83 bighas). Some of these families reportedly hold land titles dating back nearly 200 years.

The Government plans to use the Assam Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1964 instead of the more transparent Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act). The latter requires public consent and social impact assessments-conditions allegedly being ignored.

Saikia alleged that this move exposes the government's consistent bias towards corporate interests, especially the Adani Group. He warned that this would adversely impact not only the displaced families but also local entrepreneurs who have invested in homestays, guesthouses, and restaurants in the vicinity of Borjhar, Azara, and Mirza.

Environmental concerns were also raised, as the project area lies close to the ecologically sensitive Deepor Beel Ramsar site. The Opposition expressed fears that the government might eventually declare the surrounding zones "non-commercial green areas," thereby evicting more people in the name of beautification.

Also read: Declare drought in affected districts: Debabrata Saikia to Governor

Also Watch: