US-based Louis Berger Consulting Private Limited, the agency entrusted with the study, is learnt to have found the Cheruvally estate near Erumely in Pathanamthitta district, zeroed in on by the state government to set up the feeder airport, suitable for the project. Thiruvananthapuram: The report on the techno-financial feasibility and environment impact assessment (EIA) study of the proposed Sabarimala airport will be submitted to the state government in a week’s time.
US-based Louis Berger Consulting Private Limited, the agency entrusted with the study, is learnt to have found the Cheruvally estate near Erumely in Pathanamthitta district, zeroed in on by the state government to set up the feeder airport, suitable for the project.
After receiving the study report, steps to work out a detailed draft plan will be initiated by the government. Measures to obtain sanction from the central government would also be taken concurrently.
The agency scrutinized land records and geographical features of the cite as part of the first phase of the techno-financial feasibility study. Officials attached to the consultancy firm had collected materials from various sources, including the Kottayam district administration, to prepare the report.
The study report contains details of the potential slots for aircraft taking-off and landing, as well as the raised sections of the terrain.
A first-hand assessment of the ecologically important aspects, including the streams and waterbodies at the Cheruvally estate, has also been carried out. The details of the preliminary assessment of the economic viability of the proposal will also be included in the report.
A team led by Biswanath Sinha, principal secretary, general administration, who is also holding charge of the Civil Aviation, reviewed the progress of the feasibility study the other day.
The consulting firm has sought 10 more days' time to submit the report. If the agency comes up with a favorable report, steps to draw up a detailed draft masterplan would be initiated without delay. In the meantime, approval from the Airport Authority of India and the Civil Aviation Ministry would also be sought.
The Center has assured the state that the proposal would be accorded sanction if the government made available the required land. The state government is planning to commence the construction works after preparing a comprehensive draft masterplan within eight months.
Challenges ahead
Though the execution of the project will not require mass eviction or cause serious damage to environment, the ongoing dispute over the ownership and possession of the identified land would be a headache for the authorities.
In a report submitted about two years ago, special officer M G Rajamanikyam IAS had recommended that the government could take back the disputed 2,263 acres of the Cheruvally estate that had been illegally sold by Harrison Malayalam Limited to the Gospel For Asia-Believers Church.
Based on the report, the government issued a notice to the current owners of the property, but they obtained a stay from the High Court against the government move. Subsequently, the Law Secretary submitted a report to the government deeming the special officer’s report legally invalid. The case is still pending before the High Court.
A viable option
If the ownership dispute drags on, the government could explore the possibility of taking over the land after fixing the market value of the 2,263 acres of land and depositing the amount with the court.
Once the final verdict on the case is pronounced, the owners of the property would be entitled to the sum. If the verdict is in favor of the Believers Church, the money would be handed over to them, whereas if the court upholds the findings in the special officer’s report, the deposited amount would be returned to the government.
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