New project to link Chackai with Shanghumukham Beach; All Saints' Road to become history

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is acquiring 18 acres of land, including the Chackai Fire Station, the front road of Brahmos, and the main road leading to Shanghumukham beach, all with aims of redeveloping the international airport.

With this, the existing Chackai-All Saints College Road will be used exclusively for airport redeveloping purposes while a separate road will be constructed here for commutation purposes for commoners.

The initial discussion is to build a new road from Chackai ITI to All Saints College road, in a way parallel to the railway track. From there, the road will connect with the existing roads that will lead to both Veli and Shanghumukham.

The airport, including the runway, is being expanded following a warning from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to get permission to land jumbo aircraft. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed to expedite land acquisition. The Revenue Department has initiated action.

The development of the land handed over to the Airport Authority will be carried out by the Adani Group, which is responsible for managing the airport. The cost of the land will be paid by the Adani Group. The move is being done with haste after authorities warned of denying permission to land large aircraft if not follow DGCA's runway development directive.

The DGCA has proposed to expand the safety zone on both sides of the runway to a width of 150 meters.

1. 10.5 acres of Chackai Fire Station, 1.5 acres adjacent to the road in front of Brahmos and 18 acres of the existing road are being acquired

2. Land for Chackai Fire Station has been identified near the airport. A fire station is mandatory near an airport

3. Brahmos demanded that they be provided with alternate land in compensation.