Kannur Airport project will get priority: Balakrishnan

Kannur, Kerala, Aug 31 (UNI) Kerala Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said the government was according priority to the Kannur airport project.

Speaking after reconstituting the airport action committee, he said the government was planning to construct the Kannur airport on the lines Nedumbassery airport or on BOT (build, operate, transfer) basis.

The process for acquisition of land for the proposed airport suggested by the Centre was not yet completed, he added.

Mr Balakrishnan said though the government was going through serious financial crisis, steps would be taken to clear the arrears of Rs three crore on account of land acquisition five years ago.

The government would appoint a special officer during the next cabinet meeting to recommend necessary guidelines in this regard, he said adding that a system would be introduced to complete the land acquisition process through a special power.

He said he would discuss the matter with Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, during his visit to Delhi to attend the Chief Ministers' Conference on September 5.

The action committee was reconstituted with Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, Mr E P Jayarajan, leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Oommen Chandy, DIC(K) leader K Karunakaran, BJP leader C K Padmanabhan, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed and Congress leader Vayalar Ravi, as chief patrons.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan would be the new chairman and Mr Abdulla Kutty, MP, as general convener.

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