By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvanathapuram

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to regulate airfare to the Gulf where more than 2mn expats from the southern state work.
In a memorandum submitted to the prime minister, he said there are persistent complaints from the community regarding the exploitation of airlines levying exorbitant charges during the festival season.
He said the frequent cancellation of flights by flag carrier Air India was “adding insult to injury” and, hence, India should take necessary steps to control this “unlawful hike in air fares and also the cancellation of schedules especially during peak season”.
The possibility of introducing more services to the three airports in Kerala from Gulf might also be “explored so as to find a solution to this chronic problem”.
At all the meetings, he said, including the Global NRK Meet, the overseas Keralites have raised this demand requesting the state government to take up the matter with the Indian government.
“Even though the state government had taken up the matter with Government of India several times, still many problems are being faced by the Gulf passengers,” he said.
“Repeated hike in air fares and unjustified cancellation of schedules have been recurring incidents recently. The number of aircraft now operating is also not sufficient when compared to the heavy traffic, especially during the vacation and festival season. “The discriminatory attitude of airline companies in the cancellation of schedules has contributed even to the loss of jobs to several NRIs. There are also complaints regarding the formalities in connection with bringing of mortal remains and injured persons”.
The chief minister also sought the support for the state’s decade-old proposal to float its own budget airline to provide affordable air connectivity for the expats - Air Kerala Express.
The state had incorporated Air Kerala International Services Limited (AKISL) with Chandy as chairman and as a subsidiary, its hugely successful Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) and has been awaiting federal waivers. Its “long-standing dream is yet to be realised” for want of relaxation on the condition that it must possess a fleet of 20 aircraft and should have five-year domestic experience before flying out.
It has sought relaxation as CIAL is already in the air transport sector and the state government is its single largest shareholder.
“The project assumes great significance in the light of the high air fares levied by all operators, especially during peak holiday seasons, when Keralites abroad use air travels,” he said.
The conditions, he said, reduced competition and forced the NRI to “pay a significant chunk of their hard earned money as air fare”.
Air Kerala would be “a boon to them and a bold step forward to provide better air connectivity for the common man as well as tourists coming to Kerala.”
Rapid Rail Transit System Kerala has also proposed 125.56-km Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) from the state capital to Chengannur at a cost of Rs30.6397bn. He expressed his willingness to meet 50% of the total project cost and wanted it to be included in the upcoming Railway Budget.
A detailed project report (DPR) is already with the Railway Board and he  handed over a copy of the DPR to the prime minister.
Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson also had briefed the chief of the Railway Board about the project. The chief minister also sought the support of the prime minister for the master plan being implemented at the famed pilgrim centre of Sabarimala.
Being a temple situated in the buffer zone of the Periyar Tiger Sanctuary, there were limitations in the availability of land and hence developmental activities could not be taken up as expected.
The federal government has allotted 12.675 hectares of land at Pampa and Sabarimala and 110 hectares at Nilakkal,18 kilometres away, with the concurrence of the Supreme Court.
The state has so far sanctioned Rs650mn for implementation of the master plan. He also sought 500 hectares of forestland and declaring of Sabarimala as a national pilgrim centre and assistance for setting up of various amenities for pilgrims.
Exemptions for local communities living in the coastal area to build houses were also sought.