'Aranmula airport Work to begin in January’

Controversies notwithstanding, work on the KGS Group promoted international airport in Aranmula is slated from January 2013.

“The first international airport to be started in the private sector in the country and targeting to tap the immense business potential generated through the sizeable chunk of NRK passengers from the Central Travancore region and a section of Sabarimala bound pilgrims who wish to travel by air, the  project is expected to become operational within two years,” said Gigi George, Managing Director of the KGS Group, at a news conference here on Saturday.

“History is in the making,” he expressed confidence, while distancing from various controversies which had engulfed the project. All approvals required for the airport had been obtained from the Union Ministries of Civil Aviation, Defence,Home Affairs and the State Government. “The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has recommended clearance for the project and a final order is awaited within days,” he said.

The managing director claimed that the Rs 2,000-crore project was being pursued in a very transparent manner and that was the reason why the former LDF Government and the present UDF Government have supported the venture. “We are a group with a vast experience in construction, paper manufacturing and other industries. K Kumaran, myself and Sanmugam P V  are the promoters of the group, along with a 15 per cent stake of the Reliance Group. The funding pattern of the project is raising `700 crore through capital and promoters contribution and `1,300 crore from loans,” the MD clarified.

“The Kerala Government is also participating in the project with minority stake. A sweat equity of 10 per cent has been offered as well as chairmanship,” he disclosed. “Plans are not there to provide equity share to the public,” he said.

He maintained that the KGS Group was keen only on the accomplishment of the project and doesn’t want to be part of any controversies. “We cannot say something one day and retract from it the next day as some political leaders do. Acquisition of land was as per norms and the former LDF Government had notified the proposed project site as an industrial area,” he said.

“The airport will be set up on 500 acres, out of which, only a very small extent will be filled-up paddy fields, which will be utilised for laying the runway and allied facilities,” said P T Nandakumar,executive director of the project.

“The runway will be 3,100 x 45 m and is designed to cater to Airbus A-320/Boeing 747 aircrafts. The terminal building is designed to handle 1,000 passengers at a time,” he said.

http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article1391907.ece