Buoyed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s assurance that his government will work for the expansion of the Calicut International Airport, organisations that have been campaigning for it want the entire process fast-tracked.
The Chief Minister gave this assurance at a reception organised by the Malabar Chamber of Commerce here on Sunday, stating that the land for expansion of the runway and airport would be acquired.
Welcoming CM’s promise
Welcoming Mr. Vijayan’s promise that the land required for expansion would be acquired, Chamber president C. Mohan said on Tuesday: “It is heartening to note that the new government intends to provide impetus to infrastructure development in Malabar, and sees the airport as an integral part of it.”
Calicut Chamber of Commerce honorary secretary Abdulla Maliyekkal said that the government should include the airport expansion and the fund allocation for it in the State Budget.
“This will add to the confidence of the people of this region in the Chief Minister’s assurance,” he said.
List sought
It is hoped that the assurance translates into the much-needed political will to counter the alleged political backing for resistance to acquisition from many land owners in Malappuram, where the airport is located.
“We hear that the government has even sought the list of owners from whom land has to be acquired for runway expansion. This indicates the government’s intention to go ahead with the project,” Mr. Maliyekkal said.
Mr. Mohan said: “When a large airport with facilities of international standard comes up in Kannur, there will be a tendency among major airlines to operate from there. Therefore, it is important to raise the standards of Calicut airport also, so that all major players do not shift to Kannur,” he said.
Haj embarkation point
Mr. Maliyekal said that the Calicut Chamber of Commerce would hold an interface with Local Administration Minister K.T. Jaleel (also in charge of Haj and Wakf), at which “we will strongly appeal that Calicut International Airport be retained as the Haj embarkation point. It is difficult for pilgrims to travel to the Nedumbassery airport by road,” Mr. Maliyekkal said.
