Aranmula airport: Action council flays Chandy’s stand
By Express News Service - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
16th January 2013 12:44 PM
Coming down heavily on what they called the dubious stand of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on the Aranmula airport issue, Aranmula Heritage Village Action Council has warned of serious repercussions in the event of going ahead with the airport project which has been granted approval violating all norms.
Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, Action council patron and Hindu Aikya Vedi general secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan said they would strongly oppose the efforts by KGS group and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to construct the airport reclaiming the wetland, paddy fields and destroying the mangroves and water bodies.
He said the Chief Minister’s announcement that the construction work of the airport project would be started in January itself was a challenge to the people of Aranmula. He said the council would formulate the agitation plan in association with other organisations.
Kummanam alleged that the airport company KGS group had obtained the clearance from various departments by submitting forged documents. The information obtained under RTI Act shows that they had not received any exemption under the Wetland Conservation Act or Land Ceiling Act.
He pointed out that State Environment Impact Assessment Authority’s report has not been submitted so far.
The company had submitted false affidavit saying that the land selected for the project was neither paddy field nor water body. The recommendation made on the basis of this had not been accepted by the Union Environment Ministry.
He pointed out that the District Collector had cancelled the mutation of 242 acres of land as it was surplus land. As per the Land Reforms Act, the company has the right to possess only 15 acres. The government has also been abetting the crime by claiming the reclaimed water body and converting it as government’s share, instead of initiating criminal proceedings for encroachment and reclamation of the water body.
He said that the actual plan of the KGS group is not a mere airport but an aerotropolis, an airport city covering about 3000 acres. Constructing an airport-centric city amounts to literally uprooting the residents of the heritage village which had many century-old temple, centuries-old tradition of water regatta and other cultural heritage sites.
Kummanam pointed out that the Defence Ministry had also earlier objected to the airport citing that the area fell under the flying path of Indian Naval aircraft.
Such a project would sound the death knell of the holy river Pampa as the airport project site falls under the river basin and its recharge area.
He alleged that the KGS group is the benami of some political leaders. He said that Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurian, Anto Antony MP and K Sivadasan Nair MLA had been associated with the project.
He alleged that the Chief Minister’s daughter is an employee of the agency Ernst and Young which had produced a report supportive to the airport project.
He also alleged that the Chief Minister’s office had taken special interest in settling the rift between KGS group and Abraham Kalamannil, a real estate group developer.
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Comments(5)
SOUTH HILLS AIRPORT (if the Air port name is the problem). The so called environmentalist, story writers, politicians , who are living in Cities, employed in state and getting pensions, do not know the social family problems, that is facing by thousands of Pravasi and their family. We, our children from this area, after the basic education is out of home to other cities, state or country for further studies and job. For better Medical, we need to move out 150 KMs. Better part of the earnings are spend for the out station stay. No one have the privilege to attend the loved ones celebration and sorrow. Let the area develop, let the children of the soil have more job oppertunites. Let our children, Jawans fly home straight, with out losing their leaves. More water banks will be created with the Air port Proj., as we see now at the BIAL. A dry land onces, now have many water banks. Best wishes and Jai Hind.
Posted by R Thomas at 01/18/2013 18:07 Reply to this Report abuse
The decision of the govt of Kerala is going to destroy the communal harmony of the region. The project is vested with specific interest for marketing "Maramon Convention" globally and destroy the importance of the Sabarimala. It is purposefully intended to destroy the sabarimala pilgrimage, holy and sacred aranmula parthasaradhy temple and beyond all the communal harmony of the region. The decision to market "Maramon Convention against Sabarimala Pilgrimage" will bring disharmony to the the Hindu community. The issue will be another 2nd "Nilakkal Church" issue which was controversial of the region in 1983. The communal Christian group has a secret agenda in bringing out the project to give undue importance to "Christian Maramon Convention" and destroy the "Sabarimala Pilgrimage". Also, there is a hidden move, to evacuate the Hindu majority at Aranmula, and which is the most sacred place and declared as "Heritage Village" by UNESCO. The move to destroy Aranmula is to be defended.
Posted by Rajesh at 01/21/2013 10:26 Reply to this Report abuse
Not agreeing with R thomas' comment. What development will be brought by an airport by destroying water resources ? Eg. Technopark first phase nearly 300 acres provide nearly 20000 direct employment opportunities without much destroying the thck forests and trees whereas destoying nearly 700 acres of wet land can hardly give below 2000 direct employments. Government can think of any other projects, like fish farming in large scales, or even an agricultural university which can give nearly 1000 employments without destoying the Heritage village and wet lands.
Posted by anil at 01/21/2013 13:34 Reply to this Report abuse
I50 kms for medical attention, that's a joke. I read chandy sir's arrogant statement - when the airport comes everyone will be happy about it. I hope he would have the same agenda in many developmental programs. First thing to look into this is whether aranmula or the surrounding places need a airport, when for decades everyone is happy with ernakulam & trivandrum. Why is this project gaining interest in the political arena, when the people of the state don't have faith in it. What really Chengannur needs now is a Educational Center/Hub for Different authorized Universities which provides Finishing Courses and Diploma and P.G Diploma Courses, Distance Education Centers and HR Programs from the ministry with a nominal fee...etc. , even though we have a few private ones, none are up to the standards or useful. When the basic necessities like potable water, electricity and resourceful education are in question, Is it essential to promote religious and associated tourism's.
Posted by Tanku at 04/21/2013 06:34 Reply to this Report abuse
Maybe "R Thomas" isnt from this place or even from a nearby place or a pseudo name that represents a group people who have lands to sell, and plans to invest cores on hotels, ayurvedic centers, luxury apartments ...etc. I personally know, religious institutions who've bought lands based on this and started building structures worth of cores, with a strong belief this project will come true - "because of the strong people behind it". From the attitude that is perceived, I would say even if this project is stagnated or will be shrouded for some time, this will be erected at the heart of aranmula someday, by the power game of certain peoples. I would agree with what "Tanku" said, as an addition to his points - such a center could be in the future a nodal center for start-up innovations which would be beneficial to the Technical and Arts&Science Colleges around the area.
Posted by gerin mammen at 04/21/2013 06:57 Reply to this Report abuse