Krishnagiri: Now that the state govt has commenced the process to acquire 2,980 acres in Hosur and Shoolagiri taluks for the proposed international airport in the district, framers from 12 villages in these two taluks are planning to meet chief minister M K Stalin to convey their opposition to the project.The farmers said the Airport Authority of India (AAI) hadn’t yet provided a green signal for the project and wondered why the state govt was acquiring land for the proposed airport in a haste. As per the AAI guidelines, a new greenfield airport is not generally permitted within 150km of an existing airport. Hence, an airport at Hosur, which is just 75km away from Kempegowda International Airport at Devanahalli near Bengaluru, isn’t technically feasible, said a source. According to an official source, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) had in Dec 2021 hired consultants to identify potential locations to set up an airport in Hosur that could handle 30 million passengers a year. Two sites were selected – an airstrip at Belakondapalli and its surroundings, and Muthali and adjacent villages in Hosur and Shoolagiri taluks – and a report in this regard was sent to AAI, the source said. “A high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister on Aug 22, 2024, decided in favour of Muthali, citing extensive govt land, accessible roads and an existing high-voltage power line. Also, only 71 types of restricted products were found in the area during the survey against 348 around the TAAL site. Letters regarding the project were exchanged with AAI on July 22, July 25, Aug 6 and Oct 25, Nov 19 and Dec 19 last year and April 3 this year,” the source said. TIDCO sent a letter to the Chennai Land Administration Commissioner in Oct 2025, seeking administrative approval and after the nod came through it directed the Krishnagiri collector to acquire land in Palavanapalli, Petthamuthali, Adavanapalli, Dasapalenatam, Karupalli, Nandimangalam, Soodakondapalli, Venkadesapuram and Midudepalli villages in Hosur and Shoolagiri taluks. “Land acquisition commenced in Dec. So far, 845 acres has been acquired,” the source said. Now, farmers in the Hosur and Shoolagiri taluks have come together, opposing the project and seeking the chief minister to halt the land acquisition. “If our demand is not met, we will hold protests,” one of the farmers said. They said the airport project would affect the farming activities in the area. “Moreover, the airport will not benefit the villagers. The govt should reconsider the project and choose another location,” said G Sukumar, a farmer from Nandimangalam. Small entrepreneurs, however, said the airport project would spur the growth of Hosur city and surrounding areas. They said the land should be acquired without causing much harm to the farmers.
