Local community representatives and youth leaders have submitted a formal memorandum to the Belagavi Airport Director, requesting that local candidates be given hiring priority for ongoing development projects and upcoming job vacancies at the airport.
Surrender of Agricultural Land Highlighted
Local representatives emphasized the sacrifices made by nearby communities, particularly Sambra village. They noted that significant agricultural land was surrendered to facilitate the airport’s establishment and subsequent expansions.
According to representatives, land acquisition has altered daily agricultural access. Farmers who previously worked fields located just 500 meters from their homes now face travel distances of up to 10 kilometers to reach remaining plots due to restricted access routes around the expanded airfield perimeter.
Concerns Over Hiring Practices
While welcoming the ₹200+ crore infrastructure investment into the new Terminal 2 building, local youth expressed frustration over recruitment practices.
While several local residents currently work at Terminal 1, representatives observed that sub-contracted positions and temporary construction roles for the expansion project are frequently assigned to workers from other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.
Community members urged airport authorities to ensure educated local youth—especially those from families whose lands were acquired—are given fair opportunities to participate in the economic growth generated by the airport.
Key Requests Submitted
The memorandum presented to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials outlined several core requests:
- Primary Preference for Affected Families: Priority recruitment for upcoming administrative, ground-handling, and operational roles for residents of Sambra and surrounding affected villages.
- Secondary Preference for Belagavi District: Job opportunities not filled by directly impacted families should be offered to qualified candidates across the broader Belagavi district before recruiting from outside the region.
- Contractor Guidelines: Inclusion of clauses in future tenders encouraging contractors and service providers to source labor and staff locally.
Value of Local Employment in Emergencies
The delegation also pointed out operational benefits, noting that employing local staff who reside near the airport enhances emergency preparedness. Because local workers are familiar with the terrain and live close by, they can respond rapidly during emergency situations, medical evacuations, or mock disaster exercises routinely conducted on airport premises.
Airport officials acknowledged the submission of the memorandum and assured the delegation that local workforce concerns would be reviewed within the applicable administrative and recruitment guidelines.
