Aranmula airport project very much on, say promoters

KGS Group, promoters of the proposed Rs 2,000-crore Aranmula airport in Kerala, today said it has not given up on the project which had run into controversy over environmental issues.
The airport project is 'very much on', Aranmula International Airport Managing Director Giji George told reporters here.
Administrative measures and legal options would be explored, he said, adding that there were also plans to entrust the environmental impact study to another agency.
The National Green Tribunal bench in Chennai had quashed the environmental clearance accorded by the Centre to the project, the country's first private greenfield airport, which is facing opposition from local people.

The President in his address to Parliament had stated that the new government's focus would be on infrastructure projects, with emphasis on low cost airports to serve smaller towns. Aranmula project fits this description, George said.
"The Tribunal verdict only increases our resolve to take this project to reality and put Aranmula Airport on the international map. If the reports and the public hearing have to be revisited, we are ready to do so. We believe very strongly in this airport," he said.

Aranmula will be the first private airport for public use and Kerala Government will be participating with an equity of 10 per cent, he said.

George rejected contentions that the airport would affect the sanctity of the nearby Parthasarthy temple.
In another three months, all issues would be sorted out and two years from then the first phase would be ready, he said.
The airport was expected to give direct employment to 1,500 people and benefit another 6,000 indirectly, he said.