The Uttar Pradesh government has approved the rehabilitation and resettlement (RR) scheme for the third and fourth phases of the Noida International Airport project in Jewar. The decision, announced just days after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an on-site inspection, will enable acquisition of 1,857 hectares across 14 villages, directly affecting approximately 16,000 families, according to TOI.

Officials said the number of families has been revised to 15,920 from the initial 17,945 following feedback and revisions to the draft scheme.

Increase in compensation

Under the scheme, displaced families will only be relocated once they are allotted residential plots in newly developed resettlement areas and a building is constructed for them within a stipulated period. Landowners will receive compensation at Rs 4,300 per square metre — a 40% increase over previous rates. Authorities have earmarked 438 hectares across six villages — Mangroli, Neemka Shahjahanpur, Alavalpur, Sadullapur, Ahmadpur Chauroli, and Jewar Banger — to set up new resettlement colonies. The process will begin with social impact assessments, followed by public notifications. Officials emphasised that the entire RR process is expected to be completed within two years.

Airport Preparations and Operational Launch Timeline

The expansion is part of efforts to transform Noida International Airport into one of India’s largest greenfield aviation hubs. During his visit, CM Adityanath reviewed the domestic terminal, security arrangements, traffic management, and ongoing construction both from the air and on the ground. The CM emphasised the importance of quality, timeliness, and coordination, stating, “Passenger amenities and seamless connectivity must be enhanced.”

Officials briefed the CM on the airport’s technical readiness, including the terminal building and a check flight under DGCA supervision. Although the Union civil aviation minister had earlier announced an October 30 inauguration, operations are now expected to commence from mid-December, with preparations for the inauguration slated for completion by November 15.

Once fully operational, Noida International Airport will span 11,750 acres, feature five runways, and handle a projected 300 million passengers annually. In its first phase, a single runway will accommodate 12 million passengers and 150 daily flights, with further expansions planned. To date, 6,700 acres have been acquired, with an additional 5,100 acres expected in the coming months. The total land acquisition cost is estimated at Rs 5,000 crore, while construction costs are around Rs 7,000 crore.