Adani

India: Over 100,000 people in 16 villages fear eviction for Guwahati Aero City and Satellite Township

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Moves to acquire land, including fertile farmland, in six villages to the south of Guwahati Airport for a proposed Aero City and Satellite Township have raised fears of eviction in a larger area encompassing about 16 villages.

Villages south of Guwahati Airport concerned about possible land acquisition and eviction for Guwahati Aero City and Satellite Township
Map showing fifteen of the villages south of Guwahati Airport where it has been reported that residents have concerns about possible land acquisition and eviction for the proposed Guwahati Aero City and Satellite Township projects. Satellite imagery: 03/06/2026

On 26th June 2026 The Assam Tribune reported that residents of 16 villages in the Azara and Palasbari sub-districts, to the south of Guwahati Airport, feared eviction due to land acquisition for a proposed Aero City and a Satellite Township. No official eviction orders had been issued but residents of 16 villages – Andherijuli, Batibari, Deur Ali, Jobe, Jangalipara, Kachari Allibari, Kamargaon, Lochana, Matifuturi, Maliyata, Pachaniyapara, Patgaon, Rajapanichanda, Rangapara, Sajjanpara and Sathikarpa – were worried that land acquisition might be impending as revenue department activities had increased. There were reports that notifications for valuation and acquisition of agricultural land had been issued in six of these villages – Deur Ali, Jangalipara, Jobe, Kamargaon, Matifuturi and Pachaniyapara – where officials were collecting land-related documents. Farming is the only source of livelihood for many affected people and they were uncertain about provision of rehabilitation if their land was acquired. Tribal organisations voiced concerns that placing tribal areas under Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) control might erode indigenous communities’ land rights, administrative autonomy, constitutional safeguards and the powers of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council. A number of tribal organisations including Rani Regional Tribal Sangha, Rani Regional All Bodo Students’ Union and Rani Regional Rabha Students’ Union submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma calling on the government to protect the rights and interests of indigenous communities in the proposed project area. A total of approximately 6,662 bighas of land had been earmarked for the two projects, about 2,662 bighas for the Aero City and the reminder for a Satellite Township.

More than 100,000 people fear displacement

Northeast Now reported that more than 1 lakh (100,000) people feared displacement for the proposed Aero City and Satellite Township. Land acquisition raised concerns in six villages inhabited mainly by Bodos, Rabhas, and Koch Rajbongshis people. Official GMDA Chief Executive Officer communication with the Special Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Affairs Department explained that the proposed acquisition encompassed 712 bighas in Kamargaon, 676 bighas in Deorali, 553 bighas in Pachaniara, 280 bighas in Jonglipara, 238 bighas in Matikotuni and 203 bighas in Jobe. Residents established Ucched Virodhi Bhumi Adhikar Sangram Samity (UVBASS) to oppose the proposed land acquisition and memorandums were submitted to The Chief Minister, local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and other senior officials. UVBASS president Dharmeswar Boro said, “If they go ahead with this proposal, more than one lakh people across 16 villages will be displaced” and that by planning the projects the government was “rolling out the red carpet for corporates”.

Opposition to large-scale acquisition of agricultural land

Two farmers’ organisations, Sangrami Krishak Shramik Sangha and Anti-Eviction Land Rights Struggle, held a press conference on 26th June demanding withdrawal of land acquisition processes that they claimed threatened displacement of thousands of families and destruction of fertile farmland. They said the government sought to acquire large areas of agricultural land for an Aero City, Satellite Township, Guwahati Airport expansion and other urban development projects, without providing adequate compensation or rehabilitation. The groups said about 500 families had already been evicted without fair compensation or rehabilitation and that if land acquisition plans move forward about 150,000 families might eventually be affected. They stated that nearly 2,662 bighas of agricultural land in several villages including Jobe, Jangalipara, Kamargaon, Matiya and Pachim Garal had been earmarked for acquisition. Sangrami Krishak Shramik Sangha spokesperson Dinesh Das said the government prioritised corporate interest over farmers, saying, “The government has stopped issuing treasury tax receipts and has deprived people of land rights. Instead of securing the future of farmers, it is preparing to hand over fertile agricultural land to companies for projects like Aerocity and Satellite Township. Farmers are being neglected while corporations are being favoured.” The organisations had made many appeals to the Chief Minister, Governor, Kamrup district administrations and MLA but the land acquisition process continued. The groups also raised concerns about potential impacts of the projects on wetlands and continuing conversion of agricultural land for commercial purposes adversely impacting on food production.

Protest and warning of ‘mass agitation’

On 2nd July 2026, hundreds of residents protested outside the Palasbari revenue circle office, opposing the Aero City and Satellite Township project and possible eviction. Together with families concerned they might be evicted from areas surrounding Guwahati Airport they marched along the National-Highway 17 in Mirza. Many protesters were from the Rani area mainly inhabited by Bodos and Rabhas people, where land surveys identifying non-tribal residents were underway. UVBASS sent a memorandum outlining their concerns over reports of GMDA preparing development of new townships in 17 villages to the Chief Minister. The memoranrum stated, “The primary livelihood of lakhs of people in this vast region is agricultural and animal husbandry. The construction of a ‘township’ will bring a severe crisis to the life and livelihood of this huge number of poor people.” Sangrami Krishak Shramik Sangha spokesperson Dinesh Das alleged that evictions were planned in Khena Alibari village where many residents do not have the official documentation required to live in legally protected tribal areas. He demanded protection and provision of land ownership certificates for the approximately 300 Hindu and Muslim families living in the village. The memorandum also raised concerns about land surveys underway in Parli and Majirgaon, north of Guwahati Airport and close to the newly inaugurated second terminal.

At a Nikhi Rabha Jatha Parishad (NRJP) press conference in Guwahati president Babul Chandra Rabha and general secretary Gobinda Rabha said the Assam government was pursuing major land acquisition without consulting the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, Gram Sabhas or local residents. The organisation said the Aerocity and Township projects entailed acquisition of agricultural and forest areas along with ancestral settlements, violating constitutional, legal and land rights of indigenous communities, placing the livelihoods and culture of thousands of families relying on agricultural, fishing, husbandry and forest resources at risk. NRJP demanded immediate cancellation of the Aerocity and Satellite Township projects, publication of the environmental and social impact assessment reports for the Ukiam River Dam project which would significantly impact agriculture and fisheries and withdrawal of another proposed Satellite Township, Barduar Bagan, south of the area earmarked for the Aerocity. NRJP warned that, should the government fail to hold discussions with local communities and the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, it would initiate mass agitation against the projects, in collaboration with other organisations such as Sangrami Krishak-Shramik Sangha and the Anti-Eviction Land Rights Struggle Committee.

Regulation and financing for the Aero City

Development of regulation and financing to support Guwahati Aerocity and other urban development proceeded quickly.  Formation of the Guwahati Satellite Cities Development Authority (GSCDA) a government-owned Special Purpose Vehicle tasked with planning, financing and developing various types of satellite townships within the jurisdiction of the GMDA was approved by the Assam Cabinet on 13th June 2026. Times of India reported that the Guwahati Satellite City Development Authority Bill, 2026 was tabled on 9th July in the face of opposition from many groups in the outskirts of Guwahati. The Bill seeks to grant the authority ‘powers to develop integrated townships, knowledge cities, aviation cities, logistics hubs, tourism zones, economic corridors, commercial centres and other planned urban projects within notified Satellite City Development Areas or areas under its jurisdiction’. Presenting the Budget on 10th July 2026 Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah unveiled plans for what is presumably another name for the Aero City project, an ‘Aerotropolis’ with industrial and commercial districts around Guwahati Airport, to be implemented by the GSCDA. The Budget allocated ₹2,100 crore (USD220 million) for land acquisition for the projects.

Adani prioritises airport city development

The operator of Guwahati Airport, Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) – India’s largest private airport operator and a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL), one of India’s largest multinational conglomerates – has adjusted its strategy and corporate structures to prioritise airport city development. In December 2025 Adani announced a shift in focus to prioritisation of urban development at its airports, integrating aviation with real estate and diversification of revenue streams. A key element of this strategy is development of airports, in cities including Guwahati, into urban destinations with retail, hospitality, entertainment venues and office space plus a new emphasis on development of in-house hotels. A key driver of Adani’s focus on city-side development is the higher yields, often exceeding 20%, from non-aeronautical revenue streams – such as retail food and beverages – than the typical yield of about 12% from aeronautical sources including landing and passenger service fees. On 6th April 2026, AEL established three wholly owned subsidiaries for real estate activities on land parcels surrounding its hub airports: Adani Navi Mumbai Airport City Limited (ANMACL), Adani Guwahati Airport City Limited (AGACL), and Adani Ahmedabad Airport City Limited (AAACL). These subsidiaries will focus on development and leasing of buildings and management of hotels, restaurants and business centres. On 25th June 2026 AAHL subsidiary Adani Airport City Limted (AACL) announced plans for the first phase of an ‘ambitious programme to develop integrated airport cities across its airport network’. A Rs 20,000 crore (USD2.07 billion) investment aims to transform six airports – Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati – into ‘mixed-use urban destinations’ with hotels, offices, shopping and dining outlets, entertainment venues and convention centres.

Aerotropolis land acquisition notice in 2025

Opposition to a proposed Aerotropolis near Guwahati Airport dates back to 25th July 2025 when a land acquisition notice encompassing 400 bighas of land in Azara, Garal and Mirzapur, north and northeast of the airport, met with anxiety, anger and opposition from many affected residents. More than a thousand families feared loss of their homes and livelihoods. In Garal village critics of the project claimed the land acquisition process lacked transparency, consultation or a clear plan to rehabilitate affected people and that the main beneficiary would be a private company. Affected families began to protest the land acquisition process, demanding transparency, thorough impact assessment and rehabilitation guarantees. Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia described the move to acquire land for the Aerocity as anti-indigenous and serving corporate interests, saying that more than 1,116 families had received eviction notices, some of whom had held land titles for nearly 200 years. Villagers attending a public meeting in Mirzapur unanimously resolved not to give their land to the government under any circumstances, declaring, “Our land is our identity and livelihood.  We will not give it away at any cost.” At this stage of the Aerotropolis residents were already concerned that development of the project might eventually require an area as large as 6,000 bighas, triggering further land acquisition.

For more information including references for all source material and photos see the case report on EJAtlas, the world’s largest, most comprehensive online database of social conflict around environmental issues – Guwahati Airport expansion and Aerotropolis, Assam, India

Residents of three villages oppose land acquisition for Guwahati Aerotropolis

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Guwahati Airport and the villages of Azara, Garal and Mirzapur
Guwahati Airport and the villages of Azara, Garal and Mirzapur. Satellite imagery: 03/04/2024

A land acquisition notice for a proposed Aerotropolis near Guwahati Airport – the primary airport of northeast India located in the west of Assams’ largest city and also known as Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI) – met with anxiety, anger and opposition from many affected residents. Issued on 25th July 2025 by the Kamrup Metropolitan District Administration the notice encompassed 400 bighas (101 hectares) of inhabited and uninhabited land in the villages of Azara, Garal and Mirzapur and impact upon more than a thousand families. Many villagers had given land for construction of Guwahati Airport decades ago and feared loss of their homes and livelihoods. An Azara resident said, “We have already given away vast stretches of land. Now this fresh move will leave many of us homeless.” In Garal village, where the district administration moved to acquire 70 bighas (17.7 hectares) of land for the Aerotropolis project, over 100 pattadars (landholders) were named in the land acquisition notice. Critics of the project claimed the land acquisition process lacked transparency, consultation or a clear plan to rehabilitate affected people and that the main beneficiary would be a private company. Guwahati Airport is owned by Adani, one of India’s largest multinational conglomerates. A local committee member said, “Guwahati Airport is now under Adani’s ownership. So the land being acquired in the name of an airport township will ultimately go to Adani.”

Affected families began to protest the land acquisition process, demanding transparency, a thorough impact assessment and guarantees that they would be rehabilitated. “We are not against development”, said an affected farmer, “But we deserve clarity, transparency and fair compensation. Right now everything feels juggled up and a lot is hidden from the public.” Protests took place in many affected areas. Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia described the move to acquire land for the ‘Aerocity‘ as anti-indigenous and serving corporate interests. He said more than 1,116 families were affected, some of which had held land titles for nearly 200 years. He also warned that, in addition to the families facing displacement, local entrepreneurs in the area running guesthouses and restaurants would be adversely impacted. The location of the project site, near the Deepor Beel freshwater lake, a Ramsar site (designated as of international importance under the Ramsar Convention) raised environmental concerns.

Land acquisition for the aerotropolis had been requested by the managing director of the Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC). Akan Chandra Das, president of Mirzapur Anchalik Bhumi Suraksha Samiti, the committee representing affected residents of Mirzapur, Azara and Garal villages, said, “Already nine to ten times, our families gave land to the government post-independence, for development of the airport, adjacent roads, and defence establishments near the Guwahati airport. If the remaining land is also taken for development projects, where will we go? How will our children survive if they don’t get jobs in other sectors?” Basudev Mali, a retired teacher and owner of 10 bighas (2.53 hectares) of land near the airport, in Mirzapur, said, “If the government continues to take over our lands for airport expansion or for aerotropolis development now, who will ensure the survival of our children? The remaining farmlands were our only hope, but the government wants to take that also.”

A residents’ delegation met with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Samra, but his attempts to reassure them that only vacant land would be used, for public projects were unsuccessful. Locals remained reluctant to give up their land for either government or private projects. Villagers attending a public meeting in Mirzapur unanimously resolved not to give their land to the government under any circumstances, declaring, “Our land is our identity and livelihood. We will not give it away at any cost.” At the beginning of September 2025 the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) suspended building permits and land sales in the proposed aerotropolis area around Guwahati Airport. Additional restrictions were also imposed. The suspension affected Azara, Garal and Mirzapur villages where hundreds of indigenous families were unwilling to vacate their land for the aerotropolis project. They also opposed the notice issued by GMDA as it restricted their rights as landowners.

Lucknow Airport expansion, land acquisition, protest and Aerocity plans

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Satellite image of Lucknow Airport (Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport) dated 20/10/2024. Location of Terminal 3 and some of the villages affected by land acquisition for airport expansion are shown.

Lucknow Airport (also known as Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport), located 14km southwest of the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, is already the 11th busiest airport in India and traffic will increase with recent and ongoing expansion. A third terminal began operations on 30th March 2024, with capacity for 8 million passengers per year, set to rise to about 13 million upon completion of phase two. Land from Bhaktikhera village was used for the third terminal and runway extension and in March 2018 the Airports Authority of India (AAI) agreed to pay Rs 32 crore for relocation of about 600 residents. Compensation for acquisition of 70 acres of land from Bhaktikhera, Gurera and Aurangabad Jagir villages, for runway extension and other facilities, was still being negotiated in June 2018. Airport expansion had been stalled for a decade due to difficulties with land acquisition. But in June 2019 the AAI announced that ‘decks are cleared for the construction of the wall around the airport and expansion of the runway’. The district administration committed to helping AAI build the wall to keep out people ‘trespassing the area’ and stray animals posing safety risks.

Demolition notices and farmers protest boundary wall construction

Construction of houses near Lucknow Airport also raised safety concerns. At the end of August 2024 authorities served demolition notices on 50 houses which had been built next to the airport boundary without authorization. A Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) official said a builder had posed as a contractor without obtaining the requisite No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the airport administration, acquired land directly from farmers and pocketed the money. A month later construction of the airport boundary wall led to a clash between a group of farmers and police. After commencement of excavations works, with two JCBs in the presence of police, a large number of farmers, between 150 and 200, gathered and began to protest, saying the airport administration was forcibly occupying their land. The farmers, from Rahimabad and Mohammadpur Bhakti Kheda villages, said a disputed land petition was pending adjudication in the Allahabad High Court.  The protest forced authorities to temporarily halt land reclamation operations for airport expansion. Farmers argued that the land had been cultivated for many generations and that land acquisition notification in the 1950s lacked important details including plot numbers, land area and the names of the landowners, thus raising questions about the legitimacy of the acquisition process.

In response to the protest the district administration postponed the land reclamation drive until 15th October. The owner and operator of Lucknow Airport, Adani, one of India’s largest multinational conglomerates, plans to reclaim approximately 260 acres on the southern edge of the airport for extension of the runway to 3,500 metres to accommodate large, wide-body aircraft and construction of two parallel taxiways. Speaking anonymously, an official stated that a total of about 400 acres owned by the airport for over 70 years would be reclaimed for airport expansion and a survey would be conducted to compensate farmers with crops growing on the land. The principal petitioner against the land reclamation said the farmland had not been legally acquired, farmers had not received any compensation and Adani was attempting to forcibly construct the airport boundary wall. 

Boundary wall construction continues and Aero City plans

On 25th October the Supreme Court dismissed the farmers’ plea against expansion of Lucknow Airport, allowing LDA to proceed with the project. Lucknow Development Index announced on X that, after deployment of a ‘heavy police force’ in response to resistance, ‘work is still progressing amid farmers clashes’. A ‘massive area’ was being reclaimed and construction of the boundary wall had re-commenced. An official source said a 400-acre area was being reclaimed and a fourth terminal and an Aero City was planned on the land.

 Few months previously, on 5th February 2024 Times of India had reported ‘ambitious plans’ for Lucknow Aerocity, a 1,500 acre development with ‘an array of upscale amenities, such as world-class convention centres, large parks and seven-star hotels’, announced by Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Kharna. The LDA was tasked with identifying land for the project, likely to be located in Rahimabad and Gahru villages. In addition to Lucknow, Adani owns several airports in India including Mumbai, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Ahemedabad, Thiruvanthapuram and Guwahati. Plans for aero cities adjoining Adani’s airports were reported in July 2022. The Economic Times stated that Adani plans to develop ‘aero cities’ on more than 500 acres at all its airports, with hotels, convention centres, retail, entertainment, healthcare, logistics, offices and other real estate sectors.

Locals resisted eviction for Guwahati Airport expansion

At the beginning of September 2021, a month before operation of Guwahati Airport (the busiest airport in northeast India) was handed over to Adani, there were reports of locals resisting eviction to make way for expansion. An eviction notice was served to 54 households, outside the walled area of the airport in Koitasidhi village. An airport official said the land, adjacent to the runway, was to be developed as an approach area, especially for larger aircraft on international flights. Villagers said that several plots of land had been acquired for construction and expansion of the airport since 1962. Some villagers said, “We would rather give our blood than give up our land”. Continuing protest was reported on 8th September; a local person said “We heard that the Adani group which has been given charge of the Airport for 50 years under a lease agreement by the Government of India wants to do expansion work here. But we want to clarify that we will not leave our land even if we are given adequate compensation”. Some other locals said they would not give their land to Adani. On 15th September 2021 the Times of India reported that villagers were fiercely resisting giving up land for airport expansion. A tearful farmer in his late 70s said his family had been compelled to give up land for airport expansion in the 1960s, which if sold today would fetch a much higher price. His family was left with ownership of just one residential plot. More recently, in June 2024, announcing the schedule for opening of a new terminal at Guwahati Airport in April 2025, Chief Airport Officer Utpal Baruah said plans for subsequent expansion phases included a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, aerocity and helipad.