The claim of the KGS Aranmula International Airport Limited that the company has completed all formalities for setting up the private airport in Aranmula is suspicious and misleading, Thiruvaranmula Paithruka Grama Karma Samiti (TPGKS) president K. Haridas has said.
In a statement here on Saturday, he alleged that the company official’s announcement on the proposal to set up a special economic zone in Aranmula amounted to challenging the government.
The three villages of Aranmula, Mallappuzhassery and Kidangannur were declared industrial areas through the backdoor, keeping people in the dark, he alleged. Mr. Haridas said the government should clarify whether the announcement of the private company was with the knowledge of the State authorities.
He said the vacation court here had issued an injunction order preventing the KGS Group from entering the illegally converted portion of paddy land in Aranmula.
The Kerala High Court too had maintained that no construction activity be carried out there without complying with legal formalities.
The TPGKS leader alleged that the private company had managed to obtain clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment by concealing crucial facts concerning the land identified for the airport project.
The Environment Impact Assessment Report submitted by the company did not mention that the site identified for the project comprised wetland and paddy fields, he said.
He said the people of Aranmula would never permit construction of the proposed airport by converting the biodiversity-rich wetland and paddy lands.
TPGKS general convener Pradeep Ayroor was present.
