Sunday, Aug 03, 2014
Thiruvananthapuram: The Chennai-based KGS Group, which wants to establish India’s first private sector international airport at Aranmula in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, has petitioned the Supreme Court against an earlier verdict by the National Green Tribunal.
The tribunal in May stopped the project from going ahead, quashing the environmental clearance the company got from the federal government. In its petition in the apex court, the company pointed out that there were discrepancies in the order of the green tribunal.
The airport in Aranmula has been a bone of contention for years, with green organisations pointing out that the project would cause severe environmental damage to the village, and local cultural leaders stating that the project would adversely affect the heritage of the village known for its handmade mirrors and boat races.
The company has countered both arguments. The project got a boost when the state government decided to pick up a 10 per cent equity in the project.
The airport issue was a major election campaign point during the Lok Sabha poll this year. Despite supporting the project, Congress MP Anto Antony managed to win the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency with a majority even in the Aranmula segment.
The local MLA, Sivadasan Nair, is also a supporter of the project, arguing that it is a necessity for the numerous NRI families in the region who at present have to depend on far-away Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports, as well as for the overall development of the region.
Recently, Finance Minister K.M. Mani also spoke in favour of the airport, triggering fresh hopes for the airport in central Kerala.
On Saturday, popular actor Suresh Gopi criticised Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s support for the airport project, stating that the Chief Minister “wants to land a plane on everyone’s chest”.
Gopi, who is close to the BJP leadership, went on to say that if the Chief Minister “did not have common sense, he should get it from people who were knowledgeable.”
This sparked anger in Congress circles and a march was taken out to the actor’s house in protest against his statement. Congress leader Dean Kuriakose said “Suresh Gopi does not need to teach politics to Oommen Chandy.”
By Akhel Mathew Correspondent
Gulf News 2014. All rights reserved.
