AAI files affidavit in Aranmula airport case

The Airport Authority of India today informed the Kerala High Court that it had only made a visit to the proposed Rs 2,000 crore Aranmula Airport Project site to submit a feasibility report as directed by Civil Aviation Ministry and did nothing else.
AAI has no other control over the project it said in an affidavit filed in the directions of the high court, which has initiated suo motu proceedings on the basis of Devaswom ombudsman's report on the harm that would be caused to the Sri Parthasarthy temple when the airport comes up.
The affidavit said all obstructions, relating to the existing hill and tress, were recommended to be removed, with the condition that airport operator was required to take appropriate clearance from the environment ministry.

The establishment of an airport in the private sector, all required permits, licence, sanction and consent had to be obtained by KGS Ltd only, it added.
The Advocate commissioner, appointed by the court, had earlier stated the airport project may be a 'perennial threat' to the temple.
It was also stated that there could be pollution issues as the airport will be in close proximity of the temple and the construction of the airport could also also tamper with several ancient customary, religious rituals and practises of the temple.
The KGS Group, the project promoters, had earlier informed the high court that the Flag mast, Gopuram or any other structure of the temple need not be touched, modified or displaced for the construction of the airport.