Residents near Vallakadavu, who fear eviction due to the expansion of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, have approached District Collector K Vasuki, demanding rehabilitation in nearby areas.

The residents told the Collector that they were evicted once already from their homes, as part of airport expansion, and therefore the administration should ensure rehabilitation this time, before they are asked to vacate, the Deccan Chronicle reported.

The district collector on Monday, accompanied by revenue officials, visited most of the areas that are to be acquired for the airport’s expansion.

The authorities did not face any resistance from the public and Collector Vasuki also urged the public to co-operate with the ongoing Social Impact Assessment and land survey, the DC report added.

Addressing reporters, Vasuki said, “The residents raised some genuine concerns. But they agreed to cooperate with the social impact assessment and land survey. I assured them that I would take up their concerns with the government and try for a positive outcome."

The district authorities are likely to set up a review meeting for the land acquisition, where the collector is likely to take up the demands of the local residents.

The revenue authorities will also start the land survey without any further delay.

Vallakadavu-Vayyamoola Joint Action Council leader Saifuddin Haji told Deccan Chronicle, “We also urged that members of families to be evicted for airport expansion may be given preference in contract jobs like trolley pushers in airport. We also urged that the compensation to be paid to the evictees should be made free from taxes”.

Close to 18 acres of land will be acquired for expanding the existing international terminal and convert it into an integrated terminal.

According to reports, as many 27 people who own nearly 6 acres in the area allocated for airport expansion have already summited consent to surrender their land.