The Tamil Nadu government would offer 3.5 times the market value for acquiring lands in 13 villages near Parandur in Kancheepuram district, where it is proposing to construct a new airport, Minister for Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports E.V. Velu said in Chennai on Friday.
The lands being acquired in "public interest" would be acquired under the relevant legislation enacted in 2013. "There is no way other than acquiring agricultural lands," Mr. Velu said.
Flanked by Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Minister for MSMEs T.M. Anbarasan, Mr. Velu while addressing reporters in Secretariat, said the government would also offer alternative lands near the proposed airport site, financial assistance for housing in those lands, besides creating government employment to people in these 13 villages "based on their educational qualifications".
