Pilgrims during the mandala season are fewer than what one normally sees during the off-season openings of the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.The Kerala government is exploring the feasibility of a new airport for Sabarimala pilgrims near Erumeli, 25 Km from Sabarimala, reports India Today.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the state assembly that the government had given an in-principle nod for the airport.
"We have decided in principle to build a greenfield airport for the Sabarimala pilgrims. Cheruvally estate has been chosen for this project. Louis Burger Consulting Pvt Ltd has been assigned to study techno-economic feasibility and environmental impact," he said.
The consultant has also submitted a preliminary report for the project, and the project will move ahead after the final report. Currently, the airports at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are closest to the shrine.
Massive protests broke out across Kerala after Sabarimala temple reopened for the two-month-long pilgrimage season after the communist government in Kerala decided to implement Supreme Court verdict allowing women belonging to child bearing age to offer prayers there.
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