The
Department of Industries had not conducted a geographical and environment
impact assessment or held any discussions with allied departments before
granting clearance in principle for setting up an airport at Aranmula, the
Assembly Committee on Environment has observed.
After tabling the report in the Assembly on Thursday, committee
chairman C.P. Mohammed and member P.C. Vishnunath told reporters that it was
improper to go ahead with the project before conducting such studies. Such
studies should be made compulsory before granting clearance for such projects
in future. The committee expressed dissent in implementing a project destroying
huge extent of paddy fields, drinking water sources, and the ecosystem. It
recommended conducting such studies before going ahead with the project.
Of the 350 acres of land purchased by K.G.S. Group for setting
up the airport, there was a water course and revenue ‘puramboke’ land. Though
there was no provision for transferring ‘puramboke’ and water course to private
individuals, no action had been taken against those who reclaimed the land and
the stream. This should be probed. Departmental action should be initiated
against those responsible for such acts. Certain individuals had moved the High
Court against reclamation of paddy fields and secured a verdict for resuming
it. No action had been taken in this score. It should be implemented and action
taken against the officials who committed such lapses.
The committee recommended to remove the earth deposited in
Kozhithodu for reviving its natural flow. This was the water source for paddy
fields in the vicinity. Following the disruption of flow, the fields were
reclaimed. Hence, the committee recommended removal of the earth and resume the
water flow and also the cultivation in the fields.
Since the airport has not been recognised as an industry and the
nodal department for airports in the State being the Transport Department, the
Industries Department’s notification declaring Aranmula as a heritage village
and its neighbourhood Mallapuzhassery as an industrial zone have given way to
doubts. Hence, the decision should be reconsidered.
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