The private sector KGS Aranmula International Airport has received the crucial ‘in-principle approval’ of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
A copy of the order issued by the Ministry available with Business Line says that the approval is effective from September 4, 2012.
FINA CLEARANCE
P.T. Nandakumar, Executive Director of the airport company, said that this is the final clearance granted by the steering committee of the Ministry chaired by Secretary, Civil Aviation.
Just ahead of this, an environmental expert committee had examined the proposal twice. It recommended issue of environmental clearance to the project
Airports Authority of India had issued the site clearance for the airport October 15, 2009. The Kerala Government issued its NOC on September 8, 2010.
No objection certificate from the Defence Ministry was issued on August 24, 2011.
The Kerala Government recommended the airport project to the Civil Aviation Ministry September 26, 2011. Clearance for international operations was made available by the Ministry of Civil Aviation October 28, 2011.
WORK TO BEGIN
Work on the Rs 2,000-crore project would commence in the second week of this month, Gigi George, Managing Director, KGS Aranmula International Airport, said.
The airport is expected to be ready for operation by December 2014.
In the first phase, two km of runway will be developed followed by laying of approach road and other related work.
The company has in its possession 450 acres in Aranmula and proposes to raise this to 700 acres.
According to George, around 40 per cent of the State’s air traffic originates from within 40 km radius of the proposed airport.
The State Government has expressed his intent to take a 10 per cent share in the equity. It will provide the Government with a berth in the board of directors.
vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in