Sabarimala Airport TOR Gets Green Signal from Environment Ministry Panel
The Kerala government’s plan to establish a greenfield Sabarimala international airport in Kottayam district, with an estimated cost of Rs 3411 crore, has received a significant boost. A panel from the Union Environment Ministry has recommended the project for the grant of Standard Terms of Reference (TOR) for airports.
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the ministry, which convened in New Delhi last month, made the TOR recommendation. This development allows the project proponent, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) Limited, to proceed with planning, designing an Impact Assessment (EIA), and establishing a format and structure for the airport, according to official sources.
The developers intend to develop the proposed airport, named the Sabarimala International Airport, on approximately 2,570 acres of land in Erumeli, Kottayam District, commonly known as Cheruvally Estate. A source stated that the EAC acknowledged the proposed site as the most favorable option among those assessed and recommended the project for the grant of Standard TOR for airports.
During the operational phase, the project is expected to generate employment opportunities for approximately 600 individuals.
During their presentation, the KSIDC and its consultant provided a comprehensive overview to the EAC regarding the three potential sites they had evaluated for the project’s development. The primary objective of the project was to cater to the needs of the pilgrims visiting the renowned Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, while also stimulating tourism and boosting the local economies of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts.
Additionally, the proponent assured the Environmental Appraisal Committee (EAC) that the chosen project site was located outside the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) of the Western Ghats.
To support this claim, they submitted a certificate issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Environment), Government of Kerala.
Proposed Airport
The proposed airport project falls beyond the 10 km radius of the Ecologically Sensitive Zone of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Back in April of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his appreciation for the Civil Aviation Ministry’s approval of the selected site for a greenfield airport project in Kottayam. He referred to this development as “fantastic news for spiritual tourism.”
On April 13, the Civil Aviation Ministry notified the KSIDC about the clearance of the site for the airport, which was planned to be located near the renowned Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala.
In addition, the ministry requested the KSIDC to proceed with the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and to submit it along with an application for ‘in-principle’ approval. This assurance would enable us to take further necessary actions.
Recently, a draft of the Social Impact Assessment of Land Acquisition was compiled for the Greenfield Airport project. The assessment recommended measures to mitigate and compensate for the potential adverse effects of acquiring land from the villages of Erumeli South and Manimala in the Kottayam district for the airport’s construction.
The assessment found that the land acquisition for the airport had the potential to displace local communities, including farmers and other landowners. This displacement could result in the loss of livelihoods, social disruption, and the erosion of cultural heritage and traditions associated with the affected communities.
Furthermore, the study highlighted that the land acquisition for the airport could strip local communities of their property rights. This could have significant social and economic repercussions, particularly for marginalized or vulnerable groups who may face challenges in asserting their rights.
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency
Considering this, the study recommends compensating the landowners affected by the project in accordance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act 2013, and the 2015 rules framed by Kerala. Additionally, The Kerala Revenue Department issued resettlement procedures in 2015 and 2017, which should be followed.
The proposed project necessitates the acquisition of a total of 1039.8 hectares of land from the villages of Erumeli South and Manimala in Kanjirapally taluk, Kottayam district. The government plans to acquire 916.27 hectares of land from Cheruvally Estate and 123.53 hectares of land from both Manimala and Erumeli South villages in Kanjirapally taluk.
The site is strategically located near the proposed SH59 (Hill Highway), approximately 50 kilometers from Pamba, a significant pilgrimage site closely linked to the Sabarimala temple and 40 kilometers from Kottayam town. This location provides convenient connectivity to Pamba while ensuring minimal disruption to the activities of the Sabarimala temple.
According to the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), geotechnical investigations conducted at the project site have confirmed its suitability for establishing an airport. If approved, this project would become Kerala’s fifth international airport.
Following a competitive bidding process and government approval, KSIDC has enlisted the services of Louis Berger Consulting Pvt Ltd as a consultant to conduct the TEF (Techno-Economic Feasibility) study and EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) study for the project. Their role also includes facilitating the necessary clearances from the central government and other relevant agencies.
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