Airport to be expanded

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The provincial administration here is planning to expand the Syamsuddin Noor airport by up to 15 hectares in an attempt to improve facilities for the annual haj pilgrimage.

The administration's head of general affairs, Suhardjo, said on Monday that his office was negotiating compensation for land affected by the project.

"We hope we can strike a deal of as soon as possible," said Suhardjo, adding the land earmarked for use belonged to 46 families.

Based on official documents, one-square-meter of land in the area is valued at Rp 5,000, but the market price is Rp 40,000.

The development of the airport is estimated to cost Rp 100 billion. The administration has allocated Rp 27 billion for the first stage of the expansion. - Antara