India
Archived — This article has been archived. The information may be outdated.
Tamil Nadu restarts second airport hunt after 5,846-acre Parandur cancelled
The Hindu··30 Aug
Nearly three decades after Chennai's second airport was first proposed, Tamil Nadu is hunting for a fresh site. The TVK government cancelled the Parandur project on 5,846 acres where 1,802 acres had been acquired. Building an airport at any chosen site will take a minimum of five to seven years, sources said. The state is also expanding Meenambakkam airport capacity.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Air passengers in Chennai may wait five to seven years for a new airport while Meenambakkam capacity is expanded.
- The state government must request the Airports Authority of India for a pre-feasibility study after finalising a site.
- Frequent flyers say Chennai has lost direct flights to Paris and Tokyo while Bengaluru added European routes.
What's Happening
- Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi were among 11 locations originally considered for the second airport.
- The TVK government cancelled the Parandur airport project in Kancheepuram district.
- The state is shifting focus to enhancing Meenambakkam capacity by constructing a T5 Terminal near the runways.
Why Cheyyur Faces Air Force Clearance
- If Cheyyur is pursued, the state may need Ministry of Defence approval because the site falls within IAF Tambaram airspace.
- At Gummidipoondi, proximity to Pulicat Lake raises questions about bird movement affecting air traffic.
- After phase 2 modernisation at Meenambakkam, airport capacity will increase to 35 million passengers a year.
all-news
