Kerala clears Sabarimala Airport project

In a major booster to the state's aviation sector, the state government in Kerala has given an in-principle nod for the Sabarimala Greenfield Airport project and the Cabinet has decided to entrust the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation to carry out a study on the new airport. Sanction for the new airport was granted considering the fact that currently, there is only road facility to the hill shrine at Sabarimala, where more than three crore pilgrims visit annually. As of now, the major pilgrim destination can be reached only through road from Chengannoor and Tiruvalla railway stations or via roads from NH-47 or MC Road. The new airport will help ease the traffic congestion during the pilgrim season. Though, a final decision on the location of the airport has not yet been taken, it is expected that the government will take over the estate land at Erumeli for setting up the mega airport project.