Low-key boomi pooja for airport buildings, no invite for Vellore collector

Boomi puja for the construction of terminal buildings in the impending Vellore airport, was performed on Wednesday. The event, which was attended by a handful of officials, including Airports Authority of India (AAI) regional executive director P Sreekumar, has caused consternation among various sections as even Vellore collector SA Raman did not get an invite.

By :  migrator
Update: 2018-11-29 21:36 GMT
The agni kundam for boomi pooja spotted by locals at the site in Vellore

Vellore

Sources said, even locals residing near the project site were not aware of the happenings till they spotted the agni kundam (pit made of bricks to light the holy fire).


PMK district organising secretary and a local resident A Velmurugan said, “They did not invite anybody. Probably, the decision to hold it as a low-key event might be due to fear of sudden or unwanted agitation. They performed the pooja in the land opposite the airport gate, which revenue officials assured will not be included in the expansion work.”


Only 20 persons, including the driver of the JCB, which was brought to dig a pit for the pooja, attended the pooja. “The airport is of no use to us. If officials try to go against their promise and try to take away our lands, we will go on a massive protest,” he warned.


When asked why there was no invite neither for the press nor local officials, sources evaded the query saying, “Contact AAI Chennai.”


Sources revealed that the Rs 7.50-crore, terminal building planned on 2000-square metres site, would have arrival and departure lounges in addition to waiting halls and other related facilities.


Efforts are being made to obtain clearance for the runway from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and from the Post Construction Award Services (PCAS).

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