CHENNAI: The Airport Authority of India has decided to remove the obstacles in Kolapakkam, which are on the path of the Chennai airport’s secondary runway. The primary runway is 3.66 km and the secondary one is 2.89 km.
An aircraft with a wider body cannot land on the secondary runway as there are many obstacles near the runway.
In a 2022 survey, the AAI found 509 obstacles on both sides of the secondary runway. So, 133 trees were cut down and 7 mobile towers were removed in the area.
In the 2023 survey, it found that the obstacles had reduced to 180 and were making arrangements to remove them. But, now it found that the obstacles had risen to 278.
Officers found that 53 mobile phone towers had been installed, and some buildings were constructed exceeding the height limit without getting a proper NOC in Kolapakkam.
In the Airport Advisory Committee meeting, which was held in Chennai airport a few days ago in the presence of MP TR Baalu, it was decided to remove the obstacles with the help of the Kancheepuram district administration as Kolapakkam falls under Kancheepuram jurisdiction.