Kozhikode airport: Kerala assures land acquisition by Sept 15; PAC asks AAI to bear full cost

Kondotty: The Kerala government wrote to the Ministry of Civil Aviation informing that land acquisition for the development of Kozhikode International Airport be completed by September 15. The letter was forwarded by chief secretary Dr V Venu.

Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had earlier informed the state government that if required land is not acquired by August 1, that RESA would be extended by cutting off the runway. The state had earlier informed the union government that land would be acquired by March 31. The union government decided to take firm action as there were no new developments even as months went by since the agreed deadline. 

If the land is not acquired, the runway that is currently 2,860 metre will be cut short into 2,540 metre. The plan is to increase the 90 metre RESA (Runway End Safety Area) to 240 metre. This extension of the RESA was a recommendation put forward by an expert committee following the 2020 aeroplane tragedy that occurred here. 

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has instructed the airport director to prepare a report regarding reduction of the runway to 2,540 metre. Land acquisition deals are underway, but at a slow pace. The basic price determination report is under the consideration of the district collector. Land can be acquired once the detailed valuation report and the rehabilitation package is announced. 

S Suresh, Airport Director told the office bearers of the Calicut Chamber of Commerce, who came on Tuesday to submit a memorandum to Jyotiraditya Scindia, that land will be handed over by September 15. Once the land is amassed, the AAI plans to begin a project amounting to Rs 484.57 crore at Karipur airport. The amount has been set aside for works including extension of the RESA by adding earth and raising it to the level of the runway, shifting and updating speed-managing systems like ILS (Instrument Landing System), ditch construction, etc.

Parliamentary Affairs Committee on transport, tourism and culture recommended that the entire cost for the Kozhikode airport revamp, including land acquisition, should be borne by the union government. The committee pointed out that the AAI has informed the state that they are willing to pay Rs 100 crore for acquiring, flattening and making the land suitable for airport construction. However, the committee demanded the AAI consider taking up the cost for the whole project.