GUWAHATI: A proposed Aerocity and satellite township near the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport has triggered widespread concern among indigenous communities in Assam's Kamrup district, with local organisations alleging that more than one lakh people across 16 villages could face displacement if the project proceeds.
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The concerns emerged after the Assam Cabinet approved the development of Aerocities and satellite townships in and around Guwahati. On June 13, the Cabinet cleared the formation of the Guwahati Satellite Cities Development Authority (GSCDA) to plan, finance and develop satellite townships within the jurisdiction of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).
Following the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the proposed satellite city would be developed in areas behind the airport, covering parts of Palashbari, Sualkuchi and adjoining areas near the bridge.
The announcement has raised alarm among residents of villages predominantly inhabited by Bodos, Rabhas and Koch Rajbongshis, particularly after the GMDA proposed acquiring 2,662 bighas of land across six villages under the Azara Revenue Circle.
According to an official communication from the GMDA Chief Executive Officer to the Special Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Affairs Department, the proposed acquisition includes 553 bighas in Pachaniara, 238 bighas in Matikotuni, 203 bighas in Jobe, 676 bighas in Deorali, 280 bighas in Jonglipara and 712 bighas in Kamargaon.
Palashbari BJP MLA Himangshu Shekhar Baishya, however, said only one village would be affected by the project and assured that no action would be taken against indigenous communities.
The assurance has done little to allay fears. Residents have formed the Ucched Virodhi Bhumi Adhikar Sangram Samity (UVBASS) to oppose the proposed land acquisition and have submitted memorandums to the Chief Minister, the local MLA and other senior officials.
Two farmers' organisations have also demanded that the government immediately halt the proposed land acquisition in the Azara and Palashbari revenue circles, alleging that fertile agricultural land is being earmarked for the Aerocity, satellite township, airport expansion and other urban development projects.
UVBASS president Dharmeswar Boro alleged that the government was "rolling out the red carpet for corporates" by planning projects across more than 16 villages in the area.
He claimed that, apart from the 2,662 bighas under the Azara Revenue Circle, another 2,211 bighas covering Maliata, Okorpa and Lochana villages under Palashbari, along with 1,096 bighas in Khela Allibari, Sajjalapara, Rajapani, Andherijuli, Banglapara and Kachari Allibari, had also been identified for acquisition.
"If the proposal is implemented, more than one lakh people from 16 villages will be displaced," Boro said.
He further alleged that the affected area falls under the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council and forms part of a protected tribal belt. According to him, nearly 500 families have already been evicted from 735 bighas of land in Pachaniapara, Deorali, Jonglipara and Kamargaon villages.
Sangrami Krishak Shramik Sangha, Asom chief secretary Dinesh Das accused the government of sacrificing farmers' interests for large commercial projects.
"The government has stopped issuing treasury tax receipts and deprived people of their land rights. Instead of securing the future of farmers, it is preparing to hand over fertile agricultural land to companies for projects such as the Aerocity and Satellite Township," Das alleged.
The organisations claimed that around 500 families had already been evicted without adequate compensation or rehabilitation. They also warned that nearly 1.5 lakh families across the wider Azara-Palashbari region could eventually be affected if the acquisition process continues.
"We have approached every concerned authority, but the acquisition notices have not been withdrawn. If our demands are ignored, we will intensify our democratic protest. We are not against development, but development cannot come at the cost of farmers' lives and livelihoods," Das said.
The organisations further alleged that many families who have lived and cultivated land in the area for generations are yet to receive land pattas despite the implementation of the Basundhara Scheme.
The issue gained further attention after Adani Airport City Limited (AACL), a subsidiary of Adani Airport Holdings Limited, announced on June 25 that it would invest more than ₹20,000 crore in the first phase of an airport city development programme spanning 655 acres around six airports in five states, including Guwahati.
The company said the project would create around 22 million square feet of infrastructure—including hotels, office spaces, restaurants, retail outlets and convention facilities—integrated with airport and urban transport networks across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati.