Kottayam: The state government’s proposal to set up an airport at Erumeli has kicked up a debate whether the government is planning to take over the disputed 2,263 acres of Cheruvally Estate at present in the custody of Gospel for Asia, the social service wing of Believers Church. The church had purchased the rubber plantation from Harrison Malayalam Plantations in 2005 on behalf of the Gospel for Asia and Dr Cini Punnoose, managing trustee of the Gospel for Asia, currently runs the estate. The State government had decided to take over the land after special officer M.G. Rajamanickam found that the transfer of land was illegal. At present, a case between the government and the Church is under the consideration of the High Court.
Poonjar MLA P.C. George claimed the Believers Church had offered to donate the land for the project. “I discussed the matter with Bishop Yohannan and he evinced his willingness to hand over the Cheruvally estate for an airport,” Mr George told reporters in Kottayam. He said a study by AECOM India had found that an airport is feasible at Erumely. Vested interests, including those who were planning to set up an airport at the nearby Aranmula, were out to torpedo the Erumely project, he alleged. Meanwhile, BJP leader V Muraleedharan said his party would oppose any move to make the bishop, who has no legal right on the land, a partner in the airport project. “This is a conspiracy involving thousands of acres of land,” he said in Palakkad.
Public relations officer of the Believers Church Sijo Panthapallil told DC that there has been no discussion with the government on handing over of the land for the construction of an airport. “No official decision has been taken so far,” he said. “If the government approaches us we would consider it after having discussions at the Church council.” Regarding the claim of PC George, he said the bishop may have said that the Church would be happy to hand over the estate if the government approached it, he said.
