On Wednesday, November 16, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the government has identified land for the construction of an airport at Erumely, Kottayam.
After identification of the land, the Chief Minister informed the union aviation minister and the project is expected to be finalised after a few discussions. "We have informed the union aviation minister about the land. After holding more discussions in Kerala, the project would be finalized," Pinarayi said, according to Onmanorama.
As of now, Kerala has three international airports - Thiruvanathapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. People residing in Kottayam district currently rely on Nedumbassery airport for air travel. If an airport is constructed at Erumely, it would benefit Ayyappa devotees, as the place has already become an halting place for Sabarimala pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the proposal to build an international airport at Aranmula in Pathanamthitta region, is believed to have been taken back after strong protests from environmentalists and the local people.
