KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday lauded the Cochin International Airport model of development, saying that the growth of the airport had led to changes in perceptions on developmental activities. “The CIAL model refutes the general perception that ensuring development is the responsibility of the government alone,” the Chief Minister said.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the international terminal (T3) at the airport. He also opened the four-lane road linking the airport to the national highway along with an over-bridge. The Chief Minister also launched the augmentation of the solar power generation capacity at the airport.
“The Kannur airport is expected to be ready in another six months, and a detailed survey for a possible airport near Sabarimala is under way,” he said.
The State government has taken up issues pertaining to the Kozhikode airport with the Civil Aviation Ministry. The Directorate of Civil Aviation has also been contacted. Land acquisition for the airport will be expedited, Mr. Vijayan added.
The Chief Minister said CIAL had also displayed its social responsibility by providing jobs to those who were displaced by the airport project. Besides, the airport authority is providing a total of ₹17 crore to various panchayats and the Angamaly municipality for various development projects, which include drinking water projects in the neighbouring panchayats.
Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac and Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunilkumar were among those who were present on the occasion.
The first flight to land at the new terminal arrived from Muscat and was received with a water salute by Fire and Rescue Services Department personnel.
