KOLLAM: There is widespread resentment over the moves to establish a runway and an airport at Asramam maidan here. Various organisations have come out against the move. The advisory committee of Asramam Sreekrishnaswami Temple urged the authorities to withdraw from the move.
In a statement here on Thursday, advisory committee secretary T. Babukumar warned the authorities that an agitation would be launched by the devotees associated with the 16 temples participating in the Kollam Pooram, to protect the maidan. He said that cultural and social activists in Kollam had extended their support for the protection of the maidan, which is the venue of Kollam Pooram. The Thekkinkadu maidan inThrissur is protected as it is the venue of the Pooram.
Kollam Jilla Paristhithi Samrakshana Ekopana Samithi general convener Odanavattom Vijayaprakash said that his organisation would meet Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy chairman Thulasidas on Monday to request him to withdraw from the move.
He said that the Asramam maidan was the only open space left in the city for the people. Both the Temple Advisory Committee and the Paristhithi Ekopana Samithi have pointed out that it is meaningless to open an airport in Kollam to promote tourism as the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is only 70 km away from here.
The maidan is sufficient for the helicopters to land and take off. Once the runway is established here, it would pose a danger to the Kollam Govt Guest House, which is a hallmark of cultural heritage, and the children’s park in the area. All the trees around the maidan have to be felled. The maidan is the venue where big political and cultural events take place. It is also the place where driving tests are conducted by the Motor Vehicles Department.
Thousands of people are making use of the maidan for their morning and evening walks.
The maidan, adjoining the Ashtamudi backwaters, has been included in the category of ecologically fragile land. More organisations and cultural and social activists have extended their support in favour of protecting the maidan.