HP OKs Rs 17 crore for 113 families affected by Gaggal airport expansion

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh govt has approved financial assistance of Rs 16.8 crore for 113 families operating shops and other businesses on govt land affected by the expansion of Gaggal airport in Kangra district.Deputy chief whip Kewal Singh Pathania said the assistance had been sanctioned on humanitarian grounds for families whose livelihoods would be impacted by the project.He said compensation had already been paid to landowners whose land was acquired for the airport expansion. The latest decision extends financial support to shopkeepers and other business operators who were not landowners, but depended on the area for their livelihood.Pathania described the move as a rare initiative linked to a land acquisition project, under which business operators on govt land are also being provided financial assistance.He said the expansion of the airport would boost tourism, improve connectivity and generate employment and self-employment opportunities in Kangra district.