City forum seeks CM’s help for airport expansion

January 29, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:44 am IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

The Trivandrum City Connect Foundation (TCCF), a platform ‘working towards a better Thiruvananthapuram,’ on Wednesday requested Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to accelerate land acquisition for the expansion of the Thiruvananthapuram airport.

Many difficulties

Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, TCCF, submitting a representation, said operational difficulties in maintaining two terminals at the airport were many. Some of the flights ply in both domestic and international routes, which meant they would have to travel from one terminal to the other, which took around 45 minutes.

It also blocked air space for landing and take-off of other aircraft. Moreover, the Centre had announced an international airport near Kanyakumari, which would further reduce the business at the airport here.

The decline of the airport would have a direct bearing on the IT, tourism industries and the employment scenario in the State.

Mr. Gopalakrishnan pointed out that local people protesting against the acquisition of 18.5 acres for expansion of the airportdid not own any land in the area earmarked for land acquisition. Further, the Collector had proposed to give land parcels, up to 10 cents, plus compensation for land and buildings, provided that the government agreed to this. No further delay was advisable, the letter said.

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