Kerala government has decided to give an in-principle nod to the proposed airport near Sabarimala Temple, but kept mum on the site of the project, apparently because of the fears that it might trigger another controversy.
In a statement after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the government gave an in-principle permission to a green field airport for Sabarimala pilgrims. Now, the temple, which is visited by three-crore pilgrims a year, can only be accessed by road. The airport would reduce the traffic woes during the pilgrim season. The government also entrusted the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation to study the project.
Interestingly, the press note kept the location of the proposed airport a secret. In a meeting with Union Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on 16 November 2016, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had proposed the airport at Erumeli in Pathanamthitta. The CM also informed the Union Minister that the state had found suitable land for the airport near the pilgrim centre.
It was clear that the state government was eyeing the 2,263-acre Cheruvally Estate, which is the possession of Believers Church. The Church, under the Gospel for Asia headed by KP Yohannan, took over the possession of the land from Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. in 2005, a deal which is deemed illegal as the lease period had already expired. The estate was occupied by the Harrisons even after the expiry of the lease period and had no right to hand it over to another party. Special Officer MG Rajamanickam who looked into the land dealings of Harrisons Malayalam had recommended over 5,000 acres, including Cheruvally Estate, should be taken back. The church had approached the High Court against the move.
15/02/17 Asianet
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In a statement after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the government gave an in-principle permission to a green field airport for Sabarimala pilgrims. Now, the temple, which is visited by three-crore pilgrims a year, can only be accessed by road. The airport would reduce the traffic woes during the pilgrim season. The government also entrusted the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation to study the project.
Interestingly, the press note kept the location of the proposed airport a secret. In a meeting with Union Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on 16 November 2016, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had proposed the airport at Erumeli in Pathanamthitta. The CM also informed the Union Minister that the state had found suitable land for the airport near the pilgrim centre.
It was clear that the state government was eyeing the 2,263-acre Cheruvally Estate, which is the possession of Believers Church. The Church, under the Gospel for Asia headed by KP Yohannan, took over the possession of the land from Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. in 2005, a deal which is deemed illegal as the lease period had already expired. The estate was occupied by the Harrisons even after the expiry of the lease period and had no right to hand it over to another party. Special Officer MG Rajamanickam who looked into the land dealings of Harrisons Malayalam had recommended over 5,000 acres, including Cheruvally Estate, should be taken back. The church had approached the High Court against the move.
15/02/17 Asianet
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