Government not against airport in district, only averse to Aranmula project: CM

PATHANAMTHITTA: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Saturday that the LDF and the CPM were not averse to a new airport in the district or the developments that it would bring to the state.
“But we are against the Aranmula airport project.There is no need for such an airport here,“ said the chief minister, adding that the government aims at a comprehensive development that would do no harm to the environment.He was speaking at a function to mark the launch of the new crop cultivation programme at the 58 acres at Aranmula Puncha.
He added that the government's stand has already been discussed this with the KGS Group, the force behind the Aranmula airport project. “I have shared the stand with KGS group officials when they came to meet me. We will not make any change in this stand. I may not deny natural justice to anyone. But development and protection of the environment are also important at the same time,“ he said. He also said that the government would revoke the `Industrial Zone' status of the Aranmula.
The government aims to develop the farming sector in Kerala. The lands that were lying barren will be made cultivable, thereby improving the agricultural productivity of the state.The paddy cultivation will be given help and support. Cultivation of vegetables, fruits and spices in the state will also be promoted.
The chief minister also wanted the public to play a custodial role in water preserva tion. “We aim at a people's revolution in water protection in the state,“ he said adding that the government would promote rain water harvesting in every household to preserve drinking water.
Agriculture minister V S Sunilkumar, who presided over the function, said 9,000 hectares of barren land in the state would be turned cultivable in the coming five years and 2,375 hectares would be made cultivable this year itself.
It is after two decades that the Aranmula puncha is turning fertile and cultivable. The 56 acres and the two water streams Karimanthodu and Kozhithoduthat were taken for the airport were reclaimed and turned cultivable.
Water resources minister Mathew T Thomas, MLAs Veena George and Raju Abraham and agriculture production commissioner Raju Narayana Swamy awere also present on the occasion.