VIEW POINT
THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
FEB 3rd, 2011
KOZHIKODE
The dream of an airport in
North Malabar has a history of four decades. The highlights of the proposed
Kannur international airport are many. That include a runway of 3400 meters,
landing facilities for big Airbus and Boeing flights, Cargo complex, aircraft
maintenance hanger and the facilities for handling more than a thousand
passengers at a time. There is no dearth for the expectations that include the
material and human resources of the area and the investment capacity of the
expatriates from North Malabar.
Development was always a dream for North
Malabar people. Powerful people, either politicians or officials in the
successive governments, used to divert the resources of Malabar to their area
of interest. Economic planning started in India with the introduction of
Five-Year plans. When we reach the sixth decade of planning, many areas here
are still lying underdeveloped. Lobbies used the natural resources of this
backward area for the development of other areas. Here the sentiments of the
local people and facilities were forgotten. Many of these projects are
geographically kilometers away and economically unviable. All these issues
occasionally come up during budget allocation. People feel neglected during
central budget and railway budget as deserving cases are not given priority.
Our leaders always preach equitable distribution of
wealth and inclusive growth for the overall development of the country. Nobody
suspects the integrity of these slogans. If land, labour, capital and
management of a particular area can be used in the same place, the road ahead
for inclusive growth is not too far.
Opportunities for locals
The authorities could acquire
the land needed for the project without much resistance from the people.
Acquisition of the balance area is going on in full swing. The North Malabar
people cherish a dream of development.
The dream is to be achieved
not by destroying the rich fertile lands and paddy fields. They are aware that
basic infrastructure is the pillar for development. The authorities have
promised that one person from the evicted families will be considered for
employment in the project. There is a notion that evicted people are illiterate
or unqualified and that the can be given lowly jobs. This is wrong.
Engineers, diploma-holders and
post-graduate management students are there as job seekers. The role of
academic institutions is pivotal in airport development. Kannur University is
successfully running many courses in engineering and management-related
subjects. Jobs can be divided into commercial and engineering departments. For
service based industry, people from management background are considered. The
students who get admission directly to the university centres are selected on
the basis of merit. This is a good potential resource for the airport.
The university is running three
management centres directly. Admission is on merit and if they can be given an
opportunity to associate themselves with the project. A Kannur University –
Kannur airport tie-up can explored.
Chances for NRKs
Chief Minister V.S
Achuthanandan has stated that the government will not allow shares for private
participation to be in a few hands. This is a bold step for inclusive growth.
There are many NRK entrepreneurs from Kannur and Kasargod in Middle East. NRK
entrepreneurs from North Malabar are the natural claimants for project equity.
It is an opportunity for them to participate in development of their area.
- Kannur University - Kannur airport tie-up and the
- Role of NRK (Non-Resident Kannur) entrepreneurs,
- Priority to the qualified among the evicted people …
The excellent ideas...
The article is written in
the year 2011 and now the aerobridges have reached the airport site and the construction
works are on its full swing. But still these ideas are not given the full attention
by the authorities. Giving it supreme importance and implementing well can make
the KIAL a challenging one…
