Aranmula airport:Greens allege scam

Pathanamthitta: The controversy over the proposed private international airport project at Aranmula has taken curious turns with the Cabinet decision to regularise conversion of paddy fields and wetlands that have taken place prior to 2005 as well as the clearances reportedly given by various government agencies for the project, allegedly violating prevailing laws, rules and regulations.

“Both the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the Communist Party of India(Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front were equally responsible for the violations taken place in the name of the airport project at Aranmula, leaving the environment, eco system and the hapless villagers at the receiving end,’’ said V.N. Gopinatha Pillai, vice-president, All-Kerala River Protection Council.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Pillai said the illegal conversion of the biodiversity-rich wetlands and Aranmula Puncha (paddy fields) began during the tenure of the UDF government headed by A.K. Antony in 2003 and the illegal activity continued during the successive governments headed by Oommen Chandy and V.S. Achuthanandan.
17/07/12 Radhakrishnan Kuttoor/The Hindu

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Categories: airports Jul 2012, New Jul 2012