Thiruvananthapuram: The parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, chaired by CPM MP Sitaram Yechury, has asked the government to reconsider the decision to construct the Aranmula airport as it violates the government policy restricting two airports within a distance of 150 km.
"The proposed greenfield airport at Aranmula in Kerala is 120 km from the Thiruvananthapuram airport and 90 km from the Kochi airport. Moreover, the two airports are brand new ones and there is no scope for saturation of capacity of these airports,'' the report said.
"As per the policy specified for airport infrastructure, a greenfield airport may be permitted where an existing one is unable to meet the projected requirements of traffic or a new focal point of traffic emerges with sufficient viability. It can be allowed, both as a replacement to an existing airport or for simultaneous operation,'' it said.
03/05/13 Times of India
