Cabinet nod for Sabarimala airport.

The government has given in-principle approval for a greenfield airport at Sabarimala to transport pilgrims to the hill temple.

The Cabinet which met here on Wednesday approved the proposal and entrusted the Kerala Small Industries Development Corporation (KSIDC) with the task of conducting a feasibility study.

An official pressnote on the decisions taken by the Cabinet said the airport was expected to reduce the heavy traffic on the roads leading to Sabarimala during the pilgrim season.

Pilgrims alighting at the Chengannur or Thiruvalla railway stations reach Sabarimala through various routes linking with the MC Road or National Highway.

The pressnote said the airport also assumed relevance in the light of the delay in getting the Angamaly-Sabari railway line project off the ground. The rail project had been held up due to poor availability of funds and delay in getting clearance from the Central government.

The Cabinet decided to reconstitute the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRBF) by creating new posts and redeploying employees. The new posts include that of a project director, general manager, team leader and divisional accountant.

The KRFB had been recommended as a special purpose vehicle to implement infrastructure projects taken up by the Public Works Department with assistance from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

The meeting decided to create 44 supernumerary posts in the Health Department to ensure proper representation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The posts include that of ophthalmic assistant, radiographer, and blood bank technician.

It approved an amendment to the notification of 31 nationalised routes, prescribing a cap of 140 km for limited stop ordinary service.

Civil Police Officer Binu Benedict who is undergoing treatment for injuries suffered in an attack by the sand mafia in Kozhikode will be shifted to a new post at the District Armed Police, Kollam, on the same salary scale and perks.

THE HINDU