3 weeks Ago By Vishal Patadiya
Surat: A 10-foot-tall tree, believed to be the sacred abode of a Yakshini (a female nature spirit), has brought the inauguration of a crucial infrastructure project at Surat International Airport to a standstill. The parallel taxiway, stretching 2,905 m and constructed at a cost of Rs 63 crore, was ready for use since March 31. However, it cannot be used until the tree standing adjacent to the new stretch is removed.
Authorities must remove it before the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducts its inspection, expected soon. What complicates the matter is a deep-rooted local belief: chopping down the tree could invite a curse. Many in the area consider it sacred and warn of misfortune to anyone who attempts to cut it.
A senior airport official told TOI that they have decided to transplant the tree instead of axing it. "Initially, we planned to chop it, but we respect the local sentiments. Instead, we will transplant the tree near the airport fire station before the monsoon so it can naturally adapt and thrive with the rainwater," the official said.
The officer said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been requested to commission the taxiway and conduct the mandatory inspection. Notably, the authorities removed the idol of the ‘Lalbai Mata' temple on the new taxiway, which was adjacent to this tree, and shifted it to a new temple built nearby two years ago. When the taxiway was planned in 2019, the villagers from nearby Bhimpore, Dumas, and Gaviyar opposed demolishing the temple.
At that time, Airports Authority of India allotted Rs 10 lakh to build a new temple inside airport premises so that the villagers could come to worship ‘Lalbai Mata' anytime during the year. It is said that the temple was built by a farmer after discovering a red stone from the land while ploughing. After shifting the idol, the old structure still exists along with the tree.
The airport official assured that the old temple structure would be removed from PTT in coordination with the collector and police. "We will remove the old temple and also transplant the tree after seeking permission from the collector and police to avoid any confrontation with villagers," said the senior airport official. The issue was discussed at a recent Aerodrome Advisory Committee meeting under the chairmanship of Navsari MP and Union Minister CR Paatil.
Surat: A 10-foot-tall tree, believed to be the sacred abode of a Yakshini (a female nature spirit), has brought the inauguration of a crucial infrastructure project at Surat International Airport to a standstill. The parallel taxiway, stretching 2,905 m and constructed at a cost of Rs 63 crore, was ready for use since March 31. However, it cannot be used until the tree standing adjacent to the new stretch is removed.
Authorities must remove it before the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducts its inspection, expected soon. What complicates the matter is a deep-rooted local belief: chopping down the tree could invite a curse. Many in the area consider it sacred and warn of misfortune to anyone who attempts to cut it.
A senior airport official told TOI that they have decided to transplant the tree instead of axing it. "Initially, we planned to chop it, but we respect the local sentiments. Instead, we will transplant the tree near the airport fire station before the monsoon so it can naturally adapt and thrive with the rainwater," the official said.
The officer said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been requested to commission the taxiway and conduct the mandatory inspection. Notably, the authorities removed the idol of the ‘Lalbai Mata' temple on the new taxiway, which was adjacent to this tree, and shifted it to a new temple built nearby two years ago. When the taxiway was planned in 2019, the villagers from nearby Bhimpore, Dumas, and Gaviyar opposed demolishing the temple.
At that time, Airports Authority of India allotted Rs 10 lakh to build a new temple inside airport premises so that the villagers could come to worship ‘Lalbai Mata' anytime during the year. It is said that the temple was built by a farmer after discovering a red stone from the land while ploughing. After shifting the idol, the old structure still exists along with the tree.
The airport official assured that the old temple structure would be removed from PTT in coordination with the collector and police. "We will remove the old temple and also transplant the tree after seeking permission from the collector and police to avoid any confrontation with villagers," said the senior airport official. The issue was discussed at a recent Aerodrome Advisory Committee meeting under the chairmanship of Navsari MP and Union Minister CR Paatil.
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