New Delhi: Kerala BJP state president and MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar has approached the Centre with a proposal to examine around 3,000 acres at Kodumon Estate in Pathanamthitta as a possible site for an airport dedicated to Sabarimala pilgrims.

Proposal submitted to Civil Aviation Minister

Chandrasekhar said in a social media post on Saturday that he met Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and submitted a proposal put forward by senior BJP leaders Kummanam Rajasekharan and Anoop Antony.

The proposal calls for a detailed examination of the land at Kodumon Estate, in consultation with the Kerala government, for developing an airport to serve Sabarimala pilgrims.

The site, located in the vicinity of Pampa, has also been proposed for consideration under the Centre’s Greenfield Airports Policy.

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Proposal aims to ease pilgrims’ road journey

Chandrasekhar said pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala from different parts of India and abroad currently have to fly to either Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram and then undertake a road journey lasting several hours to reach the pilgrimage centre.

A dedicated airport, he said, could make the journey easier for pilgrims and improve air connectivity to Sabarimala.

Wider benefits for Pathanamthitta

The BJP leader also highlighted the potential benefits for the wider Pathanamthitta region, particularly families with members working abroad.

Improved air connectivity could also support the broader pilgrimage circuit around Sabarimala, he said.

Chandrasekhar cited improved connectivity to pilgrimage centres such as Shirdi and Tirupati as examples of how better transport infrastructure can contribute to the development of such destinations.
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Proposal needs feasibility study

The proposal is aimed at providing Sabarimala pilgrims with travel facilities comparable to those available at other major pilgrimage centres.

However, any airport project would require detailed technical and feasibility assessments before a decision can be taken.

The demand for improved air connectivity to Sabarimala has been raised periodically. The proposed Sabarimala airport at Cheruvally has also been under consideration for several years.

The latest proposal seeks a detailed examination of the 3,000-acre Kodumon Estate as another possible location for the airport.

IANS