Thiruvananthapuram: Two government documents procured by TOI under Right to Information Act shows that there could be more turbulence ahead for the proposed Rs 2,000 crore Aranmula greenfield airport, the first private international airport in the country. One document highlights topographical obstacles that may force the original airport plan to be drastically revised, while the other raises renewed doubts about the very need for a fifth international airport when Kerala's air passenger requirements have already been adequately met.
In a memorandum to the civil aviation ministry dated 9 July 2012, that refers to decisions taken in the steering committee meeting held on the 27th of the previous month, the customs department of the Union ministry of finance observes that, "There appears to be no urgent requirement to construct a green field Airport in Aranmula at this juncture as the requirements of the international passengers in the state are catered by the existing airports." In the eventuality of the airport being commissioned, the letter strongly recommends that "it should be restricted to clear international passengers only subject to augmentation of existing Customs staff strength and accepting the payment of cost recovery charges there as per norms."
10/11/3 Viju B/Times of India
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In a memorandum to the civil aviation ministry dated 9 July 2012, that refers to decisions taken in the steering committee meeting held on the 27th of the previous month, the customs department of the Union ministry of finance observes that, "There appears to be no urgent requirement to construct a green field Airport in Aranmula at this juncture as the requirements of the international passengers in the state are catered by the existing airports." In the eventuality of the airport being commissioned, the letter strongly recommends that "it should be restricted to clear international passengers only subject to augmentation of existing Customs staff strength and accepting the payment of cost recovery charges there as per norms."
10/11/3 Viju B/Times of India
