Alleging that the government had lost interest in developing the Calicut international airport at Karipur, a group of organisations, led by the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), have decided to launch an agitation to accelerate development of the airport.
P.T.S. Unni, president of the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry, M. Mussamil, chairman of the Federation of North Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, K. Moidu, former president, CCCI, and C.E. Chakunni of the World Malayali Council said on Wednesday that the protest would be launched with a vehicle procession from Kozhikode to the Collectorate in Malappuram in May.
Mr. Unni alleged that though it was decided at a meeting convened by the Chief Minister at his chamber in May last year to acquire 137 acres for expansion of the airport within three months, it had not been implemented.
Issues related to the rehabilitation of those displaced by land acquisition were also discussed in the presence of Ministers and the Malappuram District Collector.
The CCCI was upset at a report that Rs.320 crore earmarked for developing the Calicut airport had been diverted for developing the Coimbatore airport.
Mr. Unni said the CCCI suspected that a Minister in UDF Cabinet was blocking development of the airport.
