The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved the proposed site at Cheruvally estate for construction of the Sabarimala Greenfield airport in Erumely. The airport is expected to benefit pilgrims travelling to the Lord Ayyappa Shrine at Sabarimala and the popular pilgrimage centre of Maramon. The project proposal has received clearance, and construction work is expected to take three to four years after necessary approvals are in place.
The state government had earlier issued an order to acquire 1,039.87 hectares (2,570 acres) of land belonging to Cheruvally estate, spread over Erumely south and Manimala villages in Kanjirappally taluk. The site clearance is a significant development for the project as it certifies that the Cheruvally estate and adjacent land are suitable for constructing an airport.
The airport is expected to be equipped with modern facilities and state-of-the-art technology to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for passengers. The airport will also have the capacity to handle a large number of flights and passengers, providing a much-needed boost to the aviation sector in the region.
The government is committed to the project’s timely completion and has allocated funds for the same. Once operational, the airport is expected to create employment opportunities and contribute to the region’s overall development.
