Reconvert proposed Site for Aranmula Airport into its Pristine Form: Kerala High Court

published on June 17, 2014

The Kerala High Court has directed the District Collector of Pathanamthitta to reconvert the site chosen by KGS Group for its airport project back to its pristine form. The HC has issued a time slot of one month for taking necessary steps in this direction. The court directive has also affirmed that the instructions given by Land Revenue Commission should also be implemented without fail.
 
However, many are of the opinion that KGS Group, which was responsible for ravaging the ecologically fragile land of Aranmula must be given directives to restore the ecological balance o the land. Earlier the KGS Group had reclaimed a sizeable proportion of the area’s water bodies by filling up streams and rivulets causing untold hazards to the delicate eco system.
 
As much as 6.34 acres of land was leveled by KGS Group, for the construction of an airport, under the hoax of convenience for Sabarimala pilgrims. However, the Chennai Bench of the National Green Tribunal stalled the devious intentions of KGS Group and affirmed that the place was abounding in variegated form of flora and fauna. The Tribunal had also stated that the agency which conducted the environment assessment study lacked required credentials to do the job.

The state government of Kerala too seems to have dissociated from the airport project following the revoking of the clearances granted by National Green Tribunal had last month. Kerala’s Minister for Environment Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan announced the government’s revised stand on Monday in the State Assembly.
 
“The government does not want to be associated with a project that does not have legal sanctity, something that came through well and clear from the Tribunal’s action,” said Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.

Earlier, the State Government had expressed willingness to subscribe to 10% of equity which drew flak from environmentalists, who have been arguing that promoters of the airport project had obtained clearances by misrepresenting facts and had scant regard for ecologically fragile area where the project was coming up.