The Tamil Nadu Government is studying two locations in the state to finalise a second airport for Chennai. The location is set to be decided by December 31, reports ToI.
According to reports, the plan to construct the airport at Sriperumbudur was dropped because the land acquisition costs were high. Now, a site near Madurantakam in Kancheepuram district and one near Gummidipoondi are under consideration. The government is reportedly aiming to keep displacement of people minimal and the airport not too far from the city.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami reviewed the expansion projects in the state and said that it will lead to handling of more wide-body aircrafts, as per TNIE. This would in turn ease mobility, create employment and promote business, said the CM. Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey, Airport Authority of India (AAI), chairman, Dr Guruprasath Mohapatra were present at the secretariat for this meeting to discuss the status of the projects.
Guruprasad Mohapatra told ToI that the state government was looking at alternative spots. “The state government did not give a concrete deadline but it's serious in finding the land. The meeting with the government was positive," he said.
Officials had earlier told the media that even if the new airport becomes operational, it is likely to have only international operations. The domestic operations may continue at the existing airport.
The demand for 1,000 acres of land for airports in the state, including for the existing airport in Chennai, was made when aviation secretary and AAI chairman. They reportedly met state chief secretary in June to sign an MoU for a regional connectivity scheme.