Airports authority of India backs multi-modal hub at Trivandrum airport

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The airports authority of India (AAI) has agreed to give its backing for a multi-modal hub at the Trivandrum international airport.

The proposal if implemented will make the airport the only one in its category to have access to all five modes of transport.

"The propensity of the airport to become the only airport in its category, having all five modes of transport - rail, road, air, inland waterway and sea - forming a great hub, will generate more traffic and demonstrate the contemporary outlook of a modern airport," AAI member planning S Raheja has said in his letter to the chief secretary.

The proposal a brainchild of Thiruvananthapuram airport director VN Chandran, has been well-received by AAI HQ, so much so that the Member Planning AAI, S Raheja, has shot off

In his letter Raheja has asked the government to examine the proposal and take forward the project. "The necessary backing of the scheme has been conveyed to the state government by the AAI, now it is time to look forward to the day when the futuristic project will come to life," said Chandran.

The state government has to get a fix on the modalities and commit to conducting a technical feasibility study and put the scheme under appropriate departments. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Development Society, which is likely to be revived by the state government, could play a major role in the project.

The proposal involves the cleaning of the Parvathy Puthanar canal which flows right in front of the new terminal building. Once cleaned it could easily connect tourist hot-spots such as Kovalam and Alleppey backwaters.

The mono-rail project with its 28.4 km single rail mass transit system connecting Kazhakootam and Balaramapuram could be extended to the new international terminal building, adding a world-class touch to the city. Besides, it would be a lucrative proposal for the Trivandrum International Airport which handled around 18.4 lakh international passengers in 2011-12. The NH-47 bypass which is located on the eastern boundary of the airport can offer another cheap mode of transport via buses.

In addition to this a cruise terminal can be set up at Shanghumugham, instead of Vizhinjam where the sea meets the airport adding another dimension to holiday travel.

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