Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has decided to take up 10% stake in the Aranmula airport project. The cabinet, which met here on Wednesday, gave its nod for the project and to have a government nominee on the director board.
The move, viewed as a boost for the project which had already lagged behind owing to controversies, may open up another round of debate and legal battle between promoters of the project and environmentalists. The greens in the state led by Sugathakumari have opposed the concept of Aranmula airport and were putting pressure on the government not to involve itself in the project. However, senior leaders in the UDF, including those representing the Central Travancore, had lobbied for the project and the government finally decided to be part of it.
Announcing the decision, chief minister Oommen Chandy said the government would go ahead with the de-notification of excess land notified by the previous government for the project. The land required has been determined and the government will take over the remaining land.
10/01/13 Times of India
