FCC

Ministry approves Sabarimala Airport project; DPR work to begin

2023-04-18

The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has given approval for the proposed Sabarimala International Greenfield airport in Erumeli, marking a significant step forward in the state government's ambitions to establish an airport for pilgrims to Sabarimala. The state government's report on the techno- economic feasibility study was taken into consideration while approving the project. A detailed project report (DPR) for the project would shortly be prepared by the government, according to sources. The government will soon find a competent agency to prepare the DPR and begin the proceedings sooner rather than later.

V Thulasidas, Special Officer, Sabarimala Airport, confirmed the news and stated that by receiving the Civil Aviation Ministry's approval, the project has overcome a significant obstacle. "It was a drawn-out procedure because the Union Ministry requested a number of clarifications in response to our report,” he stated. “We have reached a significant milestone in the technical side of the project because the sanction was granted following review by a steering committee under the Civil Aviation Ministry, which is made up of representatives from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airport Authority of India (AAI), and other government agencies involved in the airport project. We may now proceed with all subsequent steps”, said Thulasidas.

Under the direction of the Centre for Management Development (CMD), the social impact assessment (SIA) study for the project in the villages of Erumeli South and Manimala is currently in its final stages. According to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act (LARRA), 2013, SIA is required for land acquisition. The techno- economic feasibility report for the project, which was created by Louis Berger, is also almost finished. Louis Berger is currently working on the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). For the project, earlier soil tests were carried out.