New Delhi: A western Uttar Pradesh farmer received nearly Rs 15 crore compensation for land acquired for the Noida International Airport. The farmer’s story is so popular that after receiving the money, he purchased a helicopter and is now planning a trip abroad, according to a report in The Indian Express. The airport was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, March 28.
As per the report, the land acquisition has translated the lives of the people living in the near by areas and many residents are fulfilling their dreams with the received money. The local people say that the airport project has written a new story of economic change in the villages where earlier there were limited sources of income but now big opportunities have suddenly started appearing.
Small businesses also got big support
During the airport’s construction, small businesses in the surrounding villages have also boomed. A 26-year-old Shivam Prajapati from Banwari Bas shared how the compensation money has changed their lifestyle overnight. He said, “People are happy as they made their wishes come true.”
Another 56-year-old from the same village revealed how he sensed the opportunity and expanded his home by adding six rooms. He then rented out the rooms to migrant workers during peak construction activity which tun out to be a stable income. But now after the construction is completed his rooms are vacant and the business has dropped sharply.
Ajay Beniwal, who lives in Kishorepur village, turned his modest setup into a steady income, earning about 60,000 a month as per the Indian Express report. The small business run by him is a small service where labourers, despite their helmets and keys while at work. He said, “I was among the poorest earlier, but things have changed completely.”
The stories from the area are triggering a wave of reactions online, with many users commenting on how the lives of once-struggling farmers can change overnight with such large infrastructure projects. The Internet gets divided over the farmers’ purchase.
Internet reactions
One user wrote that things like helicopters symbolise power and prestige and perhaps the farmer wants to experience the same, just like politicians. While another user called it a wasteful expenditure, noting that there are many examples in Maharashtra where compensation funds were quickly spent, leaving people in a financial crisis.
Overall, while Noida International Airport has provided economic strength to many people, it is also becoming clear that managing this sudden prosperity is also a big challenge.