Aranmula Airport : Kummanam Appeals to Union Ministry to Reject Fresh Application by KGS

published on January 4, 2015

Pathanamthitta: Convenor of Aranmula Paithrika Grama Karma Sammiti Kummanam Rajashekharan has appealed to the Union Minister of Environment Prakash Javadekar to reject the recent proposal submitted by KGS Group seeking permission to construct an airport in Aranmula.

Highlighting that the National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court have pronounced their verdict against construction of the airport, Kummanam added that the KGS Group have also not been granted an NOC from the Union government. “The KGS Group is going ahead with the seeking of permission for construction of the airport in Aranmula, overlooking these legal directives. No doubt, there is conspiracy behind this.They have submitted before the Union government, the temperory permission granted to KGS Group by state government of Kerala, masquerading it as NOC.

Lashing out at KGS Group for having vested interests in “nothing but sheer destruction of Aranmula”, Kummanam said that it has been proved beyond an iota of doubt that an airport will torpedo the delicate environmental make up of the place and will cause annihilation of the cultural significance of the heritage hamlet. “There are several other
places in Pathanamthitta, which are ideal for airport construction.But why is it that no study is being conducted into the feasibility of the locale by KGS?”

Pointing out the devious intentions of KGS Group, of having convinced the central government of their motives deviously, Kummanam sought to know why the convenience of Sabarimala was being cited as reason for construction of airport, when in reality, the pilgrimage lasted only for two months in a year. “In that case, there are other places that are more suitable for airport construction, where there will be minimal damage to environment and which is sparsely inhabited by people. Why are those places not being taken into consideration? Why aranamula alone? Also, the number of pilgrims who resort to air travel, when it comes to Sabarimala pilgrimage, is very less. The reason is that there are hurdles when it comes to air travel, carrying sacred offerings.”

Kummanam Rajashekharan also pointed out that there are 13 cases pending against Aranmula airport, in various Courts. “The High Court had issued a directive calling for removal of the piled earth in the area where the project was intended. There is also yet another order,stating that on no further occasions should earth be added to the place. The Comptroller and Auditor General had also found discrepancies regarding transfer of land and filling of proposed spot with earth. The Collector had put a stay on transaction of the 232 acres of land, declared as surplus by Land Board, in the name of KGS Group. Thus runs the long list of illegalities being indulged in by KGS Group. And needless to say, it is very disappointing that the Chief Minister himself is standing a party to this, in spite of being aware of these deceptions.