A file photo of the first Idukki airstrip at Sathram near Vandiperiyar. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The state government here is trying to resume the construction of the airstrip at Sathram, part of which was washed away after a landslide caused by heavy rain in July 2022. About 100 m on the side of the airstrip has caved in and developed a deep crack. Officials said the forest department, which has since declared the nearby land as a reserve forest, is opposing construction work on the collapsed portion and about 400m of the approach road to the airstrip, which is located on 12 acres of revenue land. The National Cadet Corps (NCC), which runs the airstrip, says it needs an additional 11.5 acres of land to develop the facility.
Now the government is trying to find a solution by handing over the ownership of surplus land to the Department of Revenue, Forests and Disasters and NCC. “In a meeting at the chief secretary level, it was decided to divide the ownership of the surplus 11.5 acres of land among four entities. The file will be submitted to the government soon. However, the forest department continues its resistance,” said the source, adding that the public works department is ready to complete the construction once it receives the land from the forest department.
Reply to RTI query
According to a Right to Information (RTI) document, the declaration of a nearby land as reserve forest has hampered the development activities of the first airstrip in Idukki. The state government allocated ₹10 crore for the second phase of development for the airstrip in July 2017, but after two months, the government issued a draft notification for the neighboring land, before declaring it a reserve forest, according to an RTI reply secured by Idukki District Congress Committee (DCC) general secretary Bijo Mani.
“The government has designated the land in survey number 182, where the airstrip is located, as reserve forest. The NCC was looking for 11.5 acres more for the development of the airstrip. But the forest department is against development activities,” Mr. Mani said.
Drone Training Center
“Once the area is notified under Section 4 of the Kerala Forest Act, 1961, the area has the status of a reserve forest. Permission from the Union government is required to divert forest land for development purposes,” a forest department source said.
NCC officials say the airstrip can provide flying training to 1,000 NCC air cadets annually. The construction of the airport started on 21 May 2017. Recently, NCC decided to set up a drone training center at the airport. “The Union government has already allocated money to purchase the drone for training purposes,” said a source.
Published – 05 Nov 2025 19:24 IST
