Guruvayoor MLA calls for airstrip for the temple town

Thiruvananthapuram: With more VIPs from far and wide visiting the famed Guruvayoor Sree Krishna temple, the temple town is in need of an airstrip, and with various investment options available, this could soon become a reality, according to Guruvayoor legislator.

Speaking to IANS, MLA K.V. Abdul Khader said a few years ago a team of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials had visited a few places in the area.

"Land is a problem here for an airport and it has now dawned that only an airstrip can be a viable proposition. For that, around 15 to 20 acres of land is all that's required," said Khader, a three-time CPI-M legislator from Guruvayoor.

Over the years, the name and fame of the temple has spread far and it has become one of the most important places of worship for Hindus.

Among those who now frequently visit the temple are national leaders as also top political personalities from Sri Lanka.

"Today with more and more VIP visits, traffic gets choked as most of them either fly to Kochi airport and then arrive to the temple town by road. A 14 acres' plot of land belonging to the temple is at present lying unused... This could be ideal for the air strip," said Khader.

Kerala has the best air connectivity in the country with three international airports and a fourth one in Kannur getting ready. Devotees arriving at any of these airports would be able to reach the temple town in under 90 minutes by a small aircraft or a helicopter if Guruvayoor gets an air strip, Khader said.

The divine idol of Mahavishnu installed at Guruvayoor represents the enchanting form of Sree Krishna endowed with the four lustrous arms carrying the conch Panchajanya, the Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki and the lotus.

"Today there are various modes of investment options available and funds for making an air strip can easily be worked out," added Khader.