Airport to be expanded

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