Airport Development and Landholding Transformation: Evidence from Displaced Communities in Kerala, India

Abstract

Development-induced displacement remains a critical challenge, particularly when large-scale infrastructure projects, such as airports, require compulsory land acquisition and the involuntary relocation of communities. This study investigates the consequences of such displacement on land use patterns and land availability among resettled households in Kerala, focusing on the cases of Calicut International Airport and Kannur International Airport. The study integrated the theoretical framework by reviewing Cernea’s Impoverishment Risks and Reconstruction (IRR) Model. Employing the Mann–Whitney Test and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, the analysis reveals a significant reduction in both paddy and dry landholdings following displacement. A considerable proportion of households that previously possessed medium or large holdings were relegated to the marginal landholding category. These findings highlight the urgent need to protect cultivable land from acquisition and emphasize the importance of land-based resettlement strategies to prevent landlessness and to restore the livelihoods of displaced communities.