Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has assured that the land acquisition for the expansion of Kannur International Airport's runway will be expedited.

The project aims to extend the runway to 4,000 mtrs., and the acquisition process involves 245.32 acres in Keezhalur and Kanad. Valuation of agricultural trees and buildings is nearly complete. While an 11(1) notification was issued back in October 2018, a 19(1) notification will be released after the compensation fund is deposited in the District Collector’s account. CPI(M) leaders submitted a petition requesting acceleration of the process.

The Chief Minister stated that the government is arranging necessary funds and is also considering the demand to extend the 2008 rehabilitation package to the current acquisition phase, despite changes to land acquisition laws in 2013. The request was made by the Landowners Action Committee and MLA KK Shailaja. A detailed valuation statement is being prepared as part of the next steps in the project.