Sabarimala airport project: BJP submits Kodumon proposal to Centre

PATHANAMTHITTA: The BJP has demanded that the proposed Sabarimala airport be constructed on plantation land at Kodumon. State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar submitted a memorandum to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, along with a detailed report prepared by party state leaders Kummanam Rajasekharan and Anoop Antony. Ram Mohan Naidu, who recently visited Kochi, had said that having an airport in the name of Sabarimala was his dream.

The first Pinarayi Vijayan government had proposed constructing the Sabarimala airport at the Cheruvally Estate in Erumeli taluk. However, the project became uncertain due to disputes over land ownership and legal hurdles. Following this, the demand to construct the airport at the Kodumon plantation gained strength. Pravasi organisations and the airport action committee have also submitted memoranda to the Centre and the state government.

3,000 hectares of land

The Kodumon plantation has 3,000 hectares of land. The plantation stretches across Kodumon, Angadical, Kalanjoor and Enadimangalam villages in Adoor taluk. At least 1,200 hectares of land would be required for the project. Rubber, cashew and oil palm were earlier cultivated at the Kodumon Estate of the Plantation Corporation. As the corporation suffered losses, the number of workers declined from around 1,500 to fewer than 500.

Favourable factors

The BJP has listed several factors in favour of constructing the airport at Kodumon:

1. It would not cause environmental damage.
2. There are no water sources, reservoirs or forest land in the area.
3. Four railway stations are located within a radius of 40 km.
4. The K.P. Road, M.C. Road, Punalur-Muvattupuzha Road and Pathanamthitta-Mavelikkara Road are located nearby.
5. The airport would benefit Sabarimala pilgrims, devotees attending the Maramon and Cherukolpuzha conventions, and expatriates.
6. Tourism destinations such as the Konni elephant camp, Gavi, Perunthenaruvi and Maniyar are located nearby.
7. People would not have to be displaced for acquiring the land.

“We have brought the long-standing demand of Sabarimala pilgrims to the attention of the Central government.”

- Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP state president