Thiruvananthapuram: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien has decried moves by various quarters in opposing the proposed Aranmula project, terming it as one which stalls the air travel needs of the NRI population in the Central Travancore belt. Criticising the so-called Greens, Kurien said one should study whether protecting over 500 acres paddy field lying fallow for long or the expenditure borne by NRIs to travel to their native places from T’Puram or Nedumbassery airports was more important.
In the course of a meet-the-press programme here on Saturday, he also said that criticism aired against Aranmula airport by those who had migrated to the capital city and other urban centres after abandoning their villages and agriculture cannot be approved. “Don’t villages have a right for genuine development? As for the proposed airport,it will be a definite boon for the growth of Sabarimala pilgrimage centre, and will promote the heritage and tourism value of the Aranmula temple and the famous boat race,’’ he claimed.
“While clamouring for Kannur airport and development of T’Puram and Nedumbaserry airports, why should Aranmula airport alone be opposed? ”, he asked. ‘’What is best for the state should be adopted. One should keep in mind that the Environment Ministry which has tough clearance norms had cleared the project”, he said.
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