A recent land acquisition notice issued by the Kamrup Metropolitan District administration for the proposed Aerotropolis project near Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport has triggered strong opposition among residents of Azara, Garal, and Mirzapur villages.
The notice, dated July 25, 2025, follows a request from the Secretary of the Housing and Urban Affairs Department (Ref. No. 679333/13, dated July 19) and aims to acquire more than 400 bighas of land under Section 3(1) of the Assam Land (Regulation and Acquisition) Act, 1964. The targeted parcels include 83 bighas 4 kathas 15 lechas in Azara, 70 bighas 16 lechas in Garal, and 257 bighas 9.51 lechas in Mirzapur under Ramcharani mouza.
The proposed acquisition, which covers both inhabited and uninhabited land, has sparked alarm among over a thousand families, many of whom say they had already surrendered land decades ago for the airport’s original construction and later expansions.
“We have already given away vast stretches of land. Now, this fresh move will leave many of us homeless,” said a resident of Azara, echoing the sentiments of many who fear loss of livelihood, ancestral homes, and cultural identity.
In response to the notification, community members have resolved to submit a memorandum to Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, urging the government to halt the land acquisition process. Local leaders are calling for transparent dialogue, clear compensation guidelines, and the exploration of alternative project sites.
Despite growing public discontent, the administration has yet to issue an official statement addressing the concerns or outlining any potential rehabilitation or compensation measures for affected families.
The Aerotropolis project, envisioned as a modern aviation-led urban development hub, aims to enhance infrastructure and investment opportunities around Guwahati’s international airport. However, critics argue that the development must not come at the cost of displacing settled communities without adequate safeguards.
