Disputes claim Calicut airport growth
Trading community upset over resistance.
KOZHIKODE: The traders’ community of Kozhikode is upset over the recent demand a section of leaders from Malappuram raised during a meeting held in the presence of Malappuram district collector that the representatives of Kozhikode be kept away from discussions regarding the expansion of the Calicut airport.
They also allege that some of the people's representatives from Malappuram are also trying to create impediments in the progress of the airport.
The airport expansion project has been facing stiff resistance from a section of public in Malappuram who has been alleging that the airport is only for some rich in Kozhikode.
Former president of Calicut Chamber of Commerce PTS Unni told DC that there is a hidden agenda behind the sectarian thought.
“Those who shout against the traders’ community should remember that Malappuram was part of Calicut district earlier and before that it was part of Malabar district,” he said. "The name of the airport itself indicates the efforts the people of Kozhikode in the realisation of the airport."
Malabar Development Council convener CE Chakkunni said that the Karipur airport was the result of a team work by many legends like K.P. Kesava Menon, C. H. Mohammed Koya, M. A. Unneerikkutti and V. Hassan Koya, who were from Kozhikode.
However, Kondotti MLA Muhammedunni Haji who represents the area where the airport is located told DC that it is true that there were some such opinions voiced by some groups against the involvement of people from Kozhikode.
“We need not take such voices seriously and no one will deny the role of people from Kozhikode in making the Karipur airport a reality,” he said. "We would try to unify all the people of Malabar for its expansion and progress.”
It may be recalled that the ownership of Calicut International Airport at Karipur has been a point of contention between Kozhikode and Malappuram districts since its inception in 1988.
People from Malappuram claimed that it is their airport as it is located in Malappuram district.