Government should not become a stumbling block for airport’s development

Thiruvananthapuram airport is the state's first international airport. The development of this airport should have begun decades ago considering that it is situated in the capital city. When other international airports came to the state, Thiruvananthapuram airport was ignored. Being close to the power center, this airport should have been given more importance. The government is not coming to its aid even when the growth of the airport is stunted.

Recently, the central government has handed over the management of many airports to private parties. Thiruvananthapuram airport is also on that list. Adani Group had won the tender for the management of Thiruvananthapuram airport. The contract is for fifty years. The state government also took part in the bidding through a company, as the state government cannot take part in the bidding process directly. However, Adani Group quoted the highest amount and won the bid.

Now, the passengers are saying that the management of the airport is better than the Airport Authority of India (AAI). They company is planning to expand and start new services.

Based on size, the Thiruvananthapuram airport is the smallest airport spread over 628 acres. Compared to it, the Kochi airport is 1300 acres and Kannur airport is spread over 3200 acres. According to international standards, to make the runways safer and to bring the two terminals at two ends to a single terminal, land is needed.

There is also a guideline that 150 meters on either side of the runway must be left free. At Thiruvananthapuram airport, this is not followed making the airport’s running in jeopardy. But no action is being taken in this regard. Before Adani Group took over the management of the airport, the government had begun the process to acquire 18 acres of land near the second terminal and hand it over to the AAI. The notification was issue, the value of the land decided, and also the social impact study done.

Once the management of the airport was transferred to a private company, all the proceeding have been stopped. The government is adamant that not even an inch of land be given for Adani to develop the airport. The passengers who are travelling to and from this airport are not relatives or friends of Adani.

This decision of the government is suicidal. Individuals can harbor hatred and animosity to others. But a government which is sworn to serve the people must not take a negative attitude like this. For a single terminal and for the safety region on either side of the runway more than 18 acres of land is needed. For that the fire force station at Chacka and Brahmos offices must be evacuated.

This can be possible only if the government takes initiative. Thiruvananthapuram has missed on many international institutions just because of the lack of many flight services. The development of the next phase of Technopark is also depended on the development of the airport.

Once the Vizhinjam Port is completed and the national highway – ring road projects come to reality, the development potential will be immense. How can a state government which is doing its maximum to bring in private investment can turn into a roadblock for the development of the strategically important airport?

This must be thought through calmly. The government must not be a stumbling block for the development of Thiruvananthapuram airport.