What land is being acquired and where
The land is being acquired for the expansion of Salem Airport and for a Maintenance and Training Centre. All the land notified so far lies in Salem district.
The notices cover 688 survey numbers spread over 4 villages. One village, Kamalapuram, is in Omalur taluk. The other three, Pottipuram, Sikkanampatti and Thumbipadi, are in Kadayampatti taluk.
A survey number appearing in a notice does not always mean the whole survey number is taken. Notices often list subdivisions and extents, so check the exact subdivision and area against your own documents.
The notices, the law and the present stage
All 7 notices were issued under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997, and published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette. This is a state law, separate from the 2013 central Act and the National Highways Act.
Under the 1997 Act, the State Government acquires land needed for an industrial purpose by publishing a notice under section 3(1). Before such a notice, the owner and other interested persons are to be given an opportunity to show cause. The Act provides that once the section 3(1) notice is published, the land vests in the Government free from all encumbrances.
The first notice is dated 7 March 2025 and the latest is dated 21 April 2025. Notices were also issued on 27 March, 28 March (two notices) and 8 April 2025 (two notices). Some notices cover one village and some cover two, so a village may appear in more than one notice.
On the records available, none of the 7 notices has been withdrawn, and none has been recorded as corrected later. These records do not show whether compensation has been determined or paid, or whether possession has been taken. Confirm the current position with the office of the District Collector, Salem, or the land acquisition officer handling the project.
Villages list with survey number counts
Kamalapuram, Omalur taluk, Salem district: 257 survey numbers. None withdrawn.
Pottipuram, Kadayampatti taluk, Salem district: 178 survey numbers. None withdrawn.
Sikkanampatti, Kadayampatti taluk, Salem district: 169 survey numbers. None withdrawn.
Thumbipadi, Kadayampatti taluk, Salem district: 84 survey numbers. None withdrawn.
These 4 villages are the full list for this project on the records available. No other village has been notified in them.
What to do if your land is listed
Obtain a copy of the gazette notice for your village and check the survey number, subdivision and extent against your patta, chitta and sale deed. Note the date of the notice that covers your land.
Under the 1997 Act, compensation is determined by the officer authorised under the Act, and the Act provides a route to challenge the amount if you do not accept it. Lodge your claim with that office with proof of title, the encumbrance certificate, patta and details of any buildings, wells or trees on the land. Ask in writing about the amount, the basis of valuation and the time limit for any objection or reference.
If you are a buyer, do not purchase land in these 4 villages without checking the survey number against every notice for this project. Since the Act provides that notified land vests in the Government, a sale after notification may give you no good title. Insist on a recent encumbrance certificate and a written confirmation from the seller that the land is not notified.
If you hold a mortgage, lease or other interest in listed land, inform the authorised officer as well, since compensation may have to be apportioned among all persons interested.