The Tamil Nadu government has decided to explore alternative sites for establishing Chennai’s second airport. At the same time, it is keen on building an airport at Hosur.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay held a review meeting for Chennai’s second airport at the Secretariat recently. Sources said that within a few days, the government would likely disclose its plans for both airports.
This is significant since no Government Order has been issued on dropping the Parandur site for building the second airport. Land acquisition has been stopped for some months now. The ruling TVK had opposed land acquisition for the Parandur airport before the election. During the DMK government led by M.K. Stalin, 1,700 acres of land was acquired, and site clearance and in-principle approval were obtained for the project.
In the last few weeks, the government considered the expansion of the Meenambakkam airport as well as a few sites for the second airport. Sources said a site in Chengalpet district was also considered. It is very unlikely that the government will reconsider the decision to build an airport at Parandur, a source said. If at all the government was to consider another site, it might take 5-7 years for the project to become a reality, the source added.
As for the Hosur airport, the government needs approval from the Defence Ministry for relaxation of the air space restrictions for the chosen site. The airport will definitely be built and the State will overcome the challenges from the air space restrictions, another source said.
