Delay in AAI nod hits Vellore airport work

After the low-key bhoomi pooja performed by AAI officials from Chennai for the construction of the terminal buildings more than a month ago, there has been no progress in work to set up the facility. However, sources said that approval would be granted soon and the construction would commence within a week.

Amid these developments, the Forest Department enumerated nearly 100 trees, which were to be translocated a park proposed by AAI on the western side of the airport. 

As the department’s attempts to get help from its research wing and counterparts in Karnataka proved futile, it has now planned to relocate only smaller trees. “Only smaller trees will be moved to the new location. New saplings will be planted to replace older trees, whose chances of survival after translocation are limited,” said sources.

The taluk officials were also making efforts to acquire the land from a shoe manufacturing unit for the airport, officials said.

A government-run women hostel near the premises has agreed to move to an alternate location adjacent to the Government Pentland Taluk Hospital in the heart of Vellore town. “Inmates are more than willing to shift to the new location as they felt it is safe compared to the existing site,” officials said.