Sabarimala airport should be avoided, that land can be given to landless people: Adoor Gopalakrishnan 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan said that the government should reconsider its decision to implement the Sabarimala airport project. "The airport is now being built in a more dangerous place than Aranmula. If there is so much land, can't it be given to the landless?" He was releasing the book 'Sugathaparvam' written by C Rahim by presenting it to architect G Shankar.

"All political parties had joined hands to protest against the Aranmula airport for environmental protection. The airport that was supposed to be in Aranmula is coming to Sabarimala after the change of government. I was surprised to hear that the Environment Department has given permission. All the hills in that area will be demolished and levelled for this airport. At present itself animals in the forest are coming to the residential areas. What will happen if the project is implemented? We will be seeing it ourselves. What is really needed are wide roads."

"Sugathakumari had brought all the people together and protested to protect the trees. Later, when problems arose regarding this, people used to say, "Let the Sugathakumari teacher come." Some in the community saw the protection of trees as teacher's need," Adoor said.

Dr. M.K. Muneer M.L.A. presided over the meeting. Prof. Aliyar, Abraham Mathew, R. Rajagopal, Pradeep Panangad, State Librarian P.K. Shobhana and others spoke.