CHENNAI: To unlock the economic potential of southern Tamil Nadu and strengthen the State's emerging aviation ecosystem, the Tamil Nadu government has floated a Rs 3.97-cr tender to convert the long-unused Chettinad airstrip near Karaikudi into a full-fledged Chettinadu Aeronadu Aviation Hub.
The tender, issued through the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), seeks private participation for infrastructure development works at the facility in Kanadukathan village of Karaikudi taluk in Sivaganga.
The project, to be executed under an item-rate contract, has an estimated value of Rs 3.97 crore, with a completion timeline of five months from the agreement date.
According to the tender document, the initial phase focuses on essential infrastructure, including site and jungle clearance, laying of over 1.4 km of internal campus roads, borewells and water supply systems, street lighting, and power distribution works.
Officials said the objective is to make the dormant airstrip operational as a regional aviation and training hub rather than a commercial passenger airport.
The State government is actively considering allocating the runway for flying training organisations (FTOs) and drone testing and pilot training, aligning with its broader strategy to position TN as a national leader in pilot training and unmanned aviation.
In 2023, an FTO began operations from Salem airport, the first such facility in the State. While the Kovilpatti airstrip is being readied for similar use, Chettinad would become the third such facility.