Centre Grants Site, Defence Clearance For Sabarimala Greenfield Airport: Kerala Govt

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the security clearance application is under consideration by Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Vijayan also disclosed that efforts are underway to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Sabarimala Airport

Source : Facebook/@PinarayiVijayan

The Central government granted site and defence clearance for Sabarimala Greenfield Airport project, Kerala government told the Assembly on Thursday. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the security clearance application is under consideration by Ministry of Home Affairs. 

In response to a notice from CPI(M) MLA K U Jenish Kumar urging the acceleration of Sabarimala Greenfield Airport construction, CM Pinarayi Vijayan stated that an environmental impact study report has been prepared. He said the steps are being taken to submit it for approval to the Union Ministry of Forests, Environment, and Climate Change.

Additionally, the CM informed the Assembly that a seven-member expert committee assigned to review the final Social Impact Assessment study report by the Center for Management Development (CMD) has provided recommendations for the project. Acting on these recommendations, the CM said, the process of acquiring approximately 2,570 acres of land for the airport construction has been initiated.

Vijayan also disclosed that efforts are underway to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Sabarimala Airport and to select an agency for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

In December last year, the Kerala government issued an order to proceed with the land acquisition for the ambitious project, covering 2,570 acres in Kottayam district. The airport is set to be developed in Erumeli South and Manimala villages in Kottayam district.

The Sabarimala International Greenfield Airport is a planned international airport intended to cater to the city of Kottayam and the sacred pilgrimage site of Sabarimala in the state of Kerala.

Located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala on the Western Ghats, the Sabarimala temple stands as one of India's most sacred shrines, drawing nearly 50 million visitors each season especially during Makkaravilakku season.