THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The proposed airport at Asramam Maidan in Kollam is unlikely to materialise.
``The Asramam Maidan is not ideal for an airstrip owing to the presence of several high-rising structures in the vicinity,’’ said Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology Executive Director V.Thulasidas.
Thulasidas, who was in the three-member team that visited Asramam the other day, said that the Government was also considering various other spots in the nearby districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam to set up an airport for small aircraft.
Already there are several high-rising structures, including buildings and mobile phone towers, in the vicinity of the Asramam Maidan and several new structures are under construction. This would affect the smooth landing and take off from the spot, he said.
``Setting up of a mini-airport in Kollam would definitely promote tourism. Once an airstrip comes up, many tourists would prefer to land directly in Kollam and it would definitely give a boost to the tourism sector of the district,’’ Thulasidas, former Chairman and Managing Director of Air India, said.
Moreover, the proposed airstrip could also be utilised for flying training purposes, he added.
It may be recalled that the move to set up an airstrip at Asramam Maidan had invited widespread resentment from various quarters, including the Asramam Sreekrishnaswami Temple authorities. The temple authorities had even threatened to launch an agitation against the move citing that the ground is the venue of the famous `Kollam Pooram’.
Kollam Jilla Paristhithi Samrakshana Ekopana Samithi had also come up against the proposed airstrip at Asramam Maidan, which has been hosting various events.