Devanahalli prepares to move out

Devanahalli prepares to move out
Villagers Want Airport Project To Take Wing Soon
The Times of India


Devanahalli (Bangalore Rural): Paper work for the greenfield Bangalore International Airport might be dragging, but at the groundlevel, this long-pending project is waiting in the wings for take off.

Villages that dot the sprawling 4,278 acres of the international airport are on their toes. The word is out: “All laggers clinging to your houses, move out within the month-end. The airport is happening.’’

Officially, construction is expected only after the state support, land lease agreements and the financial closure are signed. The state government has indicated a date of end-January for the first two.

‘Tailor’ Muniyappa of Doddasanne told The Times of India: “It is happening. Government officials came a few days ago and asked permission to dig borewells here to source water for airport construction.’’

Villagers point to trees all over the area that have been felled in preparation for construction. Near Arasinakunte village, contractors have hired labourers to dig out every plant and tree by the root for resale as firewood.
The mood also is upbeat: Unlike last year, villagers are not procrastinating, resigned to the project being built. Most compensation money has reached them, several have moved to new locations and those who remain are watching, for the project that has focussed international attention on their area.

They even supply their own reasons for the delay. Housewife Gayathri at Arasinakunte maintained: “It is only because the tsunami came that the airport has not begun already. We all want to see new things, development here. How long should we continue in the old ways?’’
Arasinakunte, Gangamuthanalli and Bavapura, that have been fully acquired for the airport, have become deserted villages. Houses are coming down, the primary school, the temple and the milk cooperative office are empty and decrepit.

But eight year-old Pavan’s family is still at Arasinakunte. “The government owes us some more money. As soon as that comes, we will go to Volepura and I will go to the new school,’’ he said. Some land is bound in litigation, some families are too poor to shift. Villagers Hanumakka and Basappa said: “The government promised us Rs 5,000 as shifting costs. Let them give this, we will go.’’
But everyone is preparing for the move. Ramanjaneya at Doddasanne said: “We are still cultivating crops on the land. But the minute work begins, we will stop and go away.’’