Kannur International Airport is on the verge of a major upgrade in accessibility and regional development, as the State government rapidly advances land acquisition and infrastructure improvements. These efforts are designed to significantly enhance connectivity to and from the airport.
A recent high-level meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram led to the decision to appoint special officers. Their role is to expedite the land acquisition process for the crucial Chorukkala-Bavuparamba-Mayyil-Kololam-Mattanur Airport Link Road. This road is identified as a vital route for improving access to the airport from the northern and hilly districts. Revenue Minister K. Rajan, Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, and MLA M.V. Govindan presided over this meeting, which set an ambitious deadline of October 25 for securing technical approval and initiating the tender process for the project.
The project, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) with an allocation of ₹73.9 crore, necessitates the acquisition of approximately 18 hectares of land from around 1,600 landowners.
Following the issuance of the 19(1) notification, documents will be meticulously verified, and compensation will be directly transferred to the landowners’ bank accounts. The completed 22.56-kilometer road will originate from the Chorukkala State Highway, offering seamless access to Kannur International Airport from diverse regions including Kasaragod, Alakode, Kudiyanmala, Cherupuzha, Chapparapadavu, and Pulingome.
MLA M.V. Govindan expressed his belief that this project will bring a significant positive change to the Taliparamba constituency. He highlighted that the allocation of ₹231 crore for overall road construction in the area is in its final stages. This new road, strategically connected to various tourist and pilgrimage centers, will seamlessly integrate with the existing Talipuramba-Manakadava-Choruk road and the currently undergoing renovation ETC-Mallur-Manyur-Panniyur road. Furthermore, the recently completed Pumangalam-Kodileri bridge and its approach road, once fully operational, will further boost connectivity to Parassinikadavu, a key pilgrimage and tourism destination, thereby expanding the airport’s catchment area.
Major Road Network Expansion Underway
Kannur International Airport, situated 28 kilometers from Kannur city, is currently served by an expanding network of regional and national roads.
The Kannur-Chovva-Mattannur road, which serves as the primary access route to the airport, is in the process of being upgraded to national highway standards. This upgrade is expected to drastically reduce travel time between Kannur city and the airport, as noted by MLA K.K Shailaja.
She emphasized that the integration of the Chovva-Mattannur road with National Highway 66 will immensely benefit the Mattanur constituency and contribute significantly to the airport’s overall development. While acknowledging the rapid progress in land acquisition, she urged the government to accelerate the process further by ensuring prompt and fair compensation.
Similar infrastructure enhancements are also planned for the Koduvally-Mambaram-Anjarakandy and Mattannur road. According to a senior official from the land acquisition department, the 11(1) notification was issued in January, and individual land surveys are currently underway. The plan proposes to acquire 39.93 hectares of land, affecting approximately 220 residents.
Concurrently, for the acquisition along the Peringathur-Panoor-Koothuparamba-Mattannur road, the department is actively collecting data in preparation for the 11(1) notification. Approximately 39.863 hectares are expected to be acquired for the enhancement of this road.
The government is also poised to soon issue the 11(1) notification for the development of the Manathavady-Boys town-Kottiyoor-Kelakam- Kanichar-Pervaoor-Mattanur road. Under this plan, about 84.906 hectares of land will be acquired.
Crucial Lifeline for the Region
Ramesh Kumar T.K. of the North Malabar Chamber of Commerce emphasized that improved access roads are the lifeblood for both the airport and the surrounding region. He stated, “As road connectivity improves, passenger and cargo movement to the airport will naturally increase. This will not only benefit the airport but also stimulate regional growth and create employment opportunities for local residents.”
He urged the government to take necessary steps to expedite the procedures for land acquisition and the development of road and infrastructure facilities, noting that any undue delay negatively impacts overall growth and development.
The Hurdle of ‘Point of Call’ Status
Since its inauguration in December 2018, Kannur airport has demonstrated consistent growth. Passenger traffic has seen an annual increase of 7%, with international movements rising by 14% in the last fiscal year. However, the Union government’s denial of ‘Point of Call’ (POC) status remains a significant hurdle, contributing to limited foreign airline operations.
Mr. Ramesh highlighted the Centre’s argument that POC rights are reserved for metro airports under bilateral air service agreements, primarily to protect Indian carriers. He criticized this policy as discriminatory, pointing out that nearly 20 foreign airlines have expressed keen interest in operating from Kannur.
He further added that the state has made multiple representations to the Prime Minister and the Civil Aviation Ministry, and a Parliamentary Standing Committee has also recommended granting POC status to Kannur. Public campaigns advocating for these policy changes are actively ongoing.
Mr. Ramesh concluded by observing that enhanced road connectivity, combined with steady passenger growth and ongoing infrastructure expansion, is poised to establish Kannur airport as a vital gateway for North Kerala and Southern Karnataka. He believes that if central policy barriers are eased and the State’s infrastructure initiatives continue, Kannur airport could finally achieve its fundamental mission, becoming a crucial catalyst for connectivity, commerce, and regional prosperity across Malabar.