Sabarimala Airport — Kodumon back in spotlight

PATHANAMTHITTA: With the High Court quashing the land acquisition notification in Cheruvally, the demand has been revived for the Sabarimala airport to be located on government land in Kodumon.

The land in Kodumon is leased to the Plantation Corporation for rubber cultivation.

Despite having the petition to build an airport in Kodumon, the government zeroed in on the Cheruvally estate. The dispute over the ownership of the land was taken to court, and the land acquisition was cancelled. The notification was cancelled after the court questioned the motive behind acquiring 2750 acres in Cheruvally, when 1200 acres were enough for a large airport.

At the same time, the CPM is not in favour of the airport coming up in Kodumon. The Congress too are interested in Cheruvally. The BJP opined that they would initiate discussions with the central government if the government recommend Kodumon.

The action committee submitted a petition to the government demanding the construction of an airport in Kodumon. A petition was also filed in the High Court. The court directed the Chief Secretary to investigate. The District Collector has sought a report from the Kodumon Village Officer.

• The land assigned in Kodumon belongs to the government, such that there is no need to evict people living here.

• 3000 acres- Kodumon Estate

• 2750 acres- nearest Chandanappally Estate

• Distance from Kodumon to Sabarimala: 77.6 km