The National Green Tribunal, Chennai bench, on Tuesday dismissed the petitions challenging the decisions pertaining to the industrial area notification for the Aranmula International Airport project and a no-objection certificate granted by the Kerala government for the project. The bench dismissed the interim order passed earlier by the Tribunal.
Post the verdict, the stay on the construction of the Aranmula airport has been lifted. The decision is likely to speed up the project, which is the biggest infrastructure project in central Kerala.
The Rs 2,000-crore KGS Aranmula International Airport project is India's first private sector international airport, being promoted by the Chennai-based KGS Group. The Kerala government has a 10 per cent equity stake in the project.
"We always knew that the green tribunal's verdict would be favourable as we have not violated any norms laid down by the authority. The verdict will help the company speed up work. We will now go forward with the project," said Gigi George, managing director, KGS Aranmula international airport.
The airport is expected to be a boon for NRIs from central Kerala and the pilgrims to the Sabarimala temple. The economic advantages of the airport would be realised by the four districts of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki, he added.
