Kerala Submits Detailed Project Report for Sabarimala Greenfield Airport
Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant step forward, the Kerala state government has submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the much-awaited Sabarimala Greenfield Airport to the Central Government for evaluation. The final go-ahead now rests with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, whose clearance is awaited.
Earlier this month, the project received in-principle approval in a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. The estimated cost for constructing the airport, which is poised to benefit Central Kerala, stands at ₹7,047 crore. This includes expenses for land acquisition and rehabilitation. The revised cost is more than double the earlier estimate of ₹3,450 crore.
Fully Equipped to Handle All Types of Aircraft
The proposed airport will be constructed on 2,500 acres, with the capability to handle all categories of aircraft. Designed to accommodate up to 7 million passengers annually, the facility will serve not only the Sabarimala pilgrims but also the general population of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts.
The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) is the nodal agency for the implementation of the project. The site clearance for the airport was already granted by the Central Government two years ago. The submitted DPR is currently under scrutiny, after which a final decision will be made. Upon approval, the project will move into the construction phase.
The airport's passenger terminal is planned to span 54,000 square feet, while the cargo terminal will cover around 1,200 square feet. The location identified for the airport is Cheruvally, near Pathanamthitta. This is expected to significantly reduce travel time for millions of devotees visiting Sabarimala annually and will also improve connectivity for NRIs and residents of nearby districts.
