Observing that the Sabarimala Greenfield Airport at Erumely will facilitate movement of pilgrims and boost tourism, a social impact assessment (SIA) of the project has called for an action plan to support those currently dependent on the project area for a living.
The draft SIA report, prepared by the Centre for Management Development (CMD), an autonomous institution under the State government, has found that the acquisition of land for the project will directly affect as many as 579 families comprising 358 landowners and 221 workers living inside the Cheruvally estate. Among those who are set to loose their livelihood also include people who run various business establishments in its neighbourhood.
As majority of the land to be taken over falls within the limit of the Cheruvally estate, which has 334 workers, the acquisition of land outside the airport will affect the lives of those dependent on agriculture and allied activities.
