Bid to revive Aranmula airport project in Kerala hits hurdle as promoter backtracks

The revival of the Aranmula airport project in Kerala has stalled after promoter Abraham Kalamannil backtracked on claims of conducting a drone survey. The project faces intense scrutiny from the government and opposition from local political groups.
Why it matters
The project highlights the ongoing tension between private infrastructure development and environmental/regulatory oversight in India.
The latest attempt to revive the controversial Aranmula airport project in Kerala suffered an early setback on Monday (July 13, 2026), with its promoter and KGS Group chairman Abraham Kalamannil softening his stand in the face of official scrutiny over an unauthorised drone survey at the project site.
The article balances the promoter's claims with the government's regulatory concerns and the opposition's political stance.
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