THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is not ready to provide land for the Thiruvananthapuram Airport despite the Director General of Civil Aviation issuing a warning that the airport's license would be cancelled if the basic strip was not prepared for the runway as per the criteria within two years.

The basic strip should have 150 metres of space left on both sides of the runway, according to international standards. This safety measure is intended to avoid aviation mishaps.

In many parts of the runway, there is a shortfall of up to 20 meters. 18 acres of land should be acquired to provide this security. All but two acres are government land. However, the government is not budging despite Adani's promise to pay.

The Transport Department had submitted Adani's application and the land acquisition proposal to the Chief Minister. However, the Chief Minister kept the file aside citing that the government was against the airport privatisation.

The runway at Thiruvananthapuram airport is 3373 meters long and 150 feet wide. A basic strip as per International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards is required to prevent accidents.

Land to be acquired

The airport needs to acquire part of the Shangumugham Road near ​​Brahmos and the Fire Force Station in Chacka. Then the road will have to be shifted to the east and constructed. Adani had informed that it would pay the price and compensation fixed by the government for the acquired land.

Airport land is very less

(in acres)

Thiruvananthapuram............628.70

Kannur...................................3200

Kochi...................................1300

Bangalore............................5200