Thiruvananthapuram: The airstrip projects planned at Idukki and Wayanad that were shelved due to local protests have received a fresh lease of life. In the latest order issued by the transport department, the government has asked Cochin international airport Ltd (Cial) to conduct a pre-feasibility study for the projects.
The new move is part of the government’s idea to have airstrips in all districts that can promote tourism.
The Idukki airstrip project, which was subsequently scaled up to a medium-size airport project, was shelved after local protests intensified during previous UDF regime.
The idea of an airstrip at Anakkara, close to Thekkady, got a fillip during the previous LDF’s rule in 2008. A two-member Airports Authority of India (AAI) team had visited the location and given clearance for a facility spread across 500 acres with 1,500m runway that can cater to ATR aircrafts.
Later, when the project gathered steam, an agitation under the aegis of anti-airport agitation council forced the government to shelve the project. “Before going on to the next step of a feasibility study, the government wants to know whether the projects deserve the go-ahead and so the pre-feasibility study was ordered,” said government sources.
Earlier, the airstrip at Wayanad also met a similar fate in the wake of strong protests . The project was given AAI clearance and sites extending to 500 acres at Panamaram and Cheekkallor were identified , after conducting feasibility studies. Though the area identified is paddy land, the latest amendment of paddy land and wetland act that empowers the government to overcome the restrictions if the project is in public interest would make things easier.
The project was shelved for the past seven years. At present, the only air connectivity facility available in Wayanad is at Kalpetta, a school ground.
14/03/18 KP Saikiran/Times of India
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The new move is part of the government’s idea to have airstrips in all districts that can promote tourism.
The Idukki airstrip project, which was subsequently scaled up to a medium-size airport project, was shelved after local protests intensified during previous UDF regime.
The idea of an airstrip at Anakkara, close to Thekkady, got a fillip during the previous LDF’s rule in 2008. A two-member Airports Authority of India (AAI) team had visited the location and given clearance for a facility spread across 500 acres with 1,500m runway that can cater to ATR aircrafts.
Later, when the project gathered steam, an agitation under the aegis of anti-airport agitation council forced the government to shelve the project. “Before going on to the next step of a feasibility study, the government wants to know whether the projects deserve the go-ahead and so the pre-feasibility study was ordered,” said government sources.
Earlier, the airstrip at Wayanad also met a similar fate in the wake of strong protests . The project was given AAI clearance and sites extending to 500 acres at Panamaram and Cheekkallor were identified , after conducting feasibility studies. Though the area identified is paddy land, the latest amendment of paddy land and wetland act that empowers the government to overcome the restrictions if the project is in public interest would make things easier.
The project was shelved for the past seven years. At present, the only air connectivity facility available in Wayanad is at Kalpetta, a school ground.
14/03/18 KP Saikiran/Times of India
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