Kummanam Rajasekharan’s appeal to Arun Jaitley

Kochi: Convenor of Aranmula Paithrukagrama Karma Samiti Kummanam Rajashekharan has appealed to Financial Minister Arun Jaitly to remove any reference made about financial survey for Aranmula airport.

Any reference to the airport made by the government in the financial budget is without a careful examination of relevant documents or reports of consequences.

Referring to the reference as “unwanted” and “irrelevant”, Kummanam said that environmental clearance was denied by both Supreme Court and Green Tribunal as stated to be “illegal” which led to the stalling of any further construction work in connection with the airport. “The survey report is not a directive or measure to implement a decision. In fact it is only a report based on the findings and conclusions of a section of officers. It is bizarre to think that the KGS Group has been masquerading this as being a green signal for airport construction,” he said.

Stating that the agitation in Aranmula by the hamlet inhabitants is not remonstration against the airport, but against the demolition of an entire cultural heritage Kummanam said, “The agitation is against the destruction of fields, hillocks rivers sacred groves and shrines. It is a clarion call for conservation of nature. No section of society here in Aranamula will allow construction of an airport by 8the side of River Pamba and beside Lord Krishna Temple, by destroying the paddy fields. There are other specific and suitable places in Pathanamthitta district, if they need to construct the airport. Studies should be conducted, examinations should be done to find out where they are located.”