Construction of the KGS Aranmula International Airport will resume after the National Green Tribunal, Chennai, dismissed a petition challenging various decisions related to the project. This includes industrial area notification for the project and the no-objection certificate given by the Kerala Government.
The tribunal dismissed its own interim order passed earlier, said a company press release.
The tribunal handles cases relating to issues such as environmental protection, conservation of forests and natural resources.
“We always knew that the Green Tribunal’s verdict would be favourable because we have not violated any norms laid down by any authority,” Gigi George, Managing Director of KGS Aranmula International Airport said.
This company is implementing the Rs 2,000-crore green field airport in Pathanamthitta, which is about 50 km from Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple and located in between Thiruvanathapuram and Kochi airports.
A three-member Bench headed by Justice M. Chockalingam, Judicial Member, on April 2 gave an injunction order to stop any construction activity in the site until further orders.
heritage site
This was based on a petition filed by the Aranmula Heritage Village Protection Action Council.
Aranmula has been declared as a global heritage village by the UNESCO. It is noted for its ancient Krishna temple, which is located close to the project site, and for handcrafted metal mirrors.
tourism boost
The airport, said the company, is expected to benefit not only the large number of NRIs from central Kerala but also lakhs of pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala temple every year from across the world.
The economic advantages of the airport will be realised by the four districts of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki.
The tourism sector will also be a big beneficiary of the airport, given the fact that the backwaters of Alappuzha, Kumarakom and Thekkady are all within close proximity of the airport, said the press release.