Thiruvananthapuram:
Work on construction of the runway for the proposed Kannur international airportwould begin by this year end, Kerala Minister for Excise and Ports K Babu said.
Replying to a submission in the assembly, he said of the 2,200 acres required for the project, 1,277 acres hadalready been acquired.
The acquisition work for taking over another 783 acres was in progress.
Government had assigned the Centre for Earth Science Studies to get the necessary environmental clearance from theCentre for the project.The Expert Appraisal Committee to decide on the clearance had met in New Delhi last month andapproved the terms of reference, he said.
A detailed project report for the Kannur International Airport Limited was being prepared by experts with theCochin International Airport Limited. The report was expected within a month, the minister said.