By IANS,
Ranchi : Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda Tuesday laid the foundation stone for an airport in Deoghar district, amid protests over poor compensation by villagers who have been displaced by the project.
In an online exercise, Munda “laid” the foundation stone of the airport from his official residence in Ranchi.
The state government and the Airports Authority of India signed a memorandum of understanding early this year to set up the airport in Deoghar, some 250 km from Ranchi.
The Deoghar airport will serve more than five million people who arrive here every year to pray at the Baba Baidyanath temple.
Deoghar’s neighbouring Giridih district is home to the Parasnath Hill, which is of great religious significance to Jains.
Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Cooperative Department and Minority Welfare Minister Haji Hussain Ansari and others were present in Deoghar as the chief minister pressed a computer key in Ranchi to lay the foundation stone of the airport.
“We will extend all support to make the proposed airport functional,” said Munda at the ceremony.
The villagers who have been displaced for the airport project protested over the low compensation, while the foundation stone-laying function was under way.