Acquisition of land over for Thoothukudi airport expansion

Speaking to reporters, Collector Sandeep Nanduri on Monday said the entire land parcel of 601 acres required for the project has been acquired with the documentation papers handed over to the Airport Director, N Subramanian.

While 410 acres was handed over to the Airports Authority of India earlier, the remaining land has been given now. Meanwhile, the AAI has sought an additional 96 acres. A letter seeking administrative sanction for acquiring the land has been forwarded to the government. On providing compensation to the affected land owners, the Collector said funds to the tune of Rs 13 crore had already been received.

“Pattadarars are being identified to extend the compensation amount. However, the AAI can proceed with the expansion work after entering into an agreement,” Nanduri added.

Trade chambers and stakeholders have welcomed the district administration’s efforts in assisting the airport expansion plan. Along with the one in Madurai, the Thoothukudi airport is considered a boon for people in Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari and Ramanathapuram.

According to T Johnson, president, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thoothukudi, the airport is likely to emerge as an international cargo hub in the southern region of TN once the facility is modernised with adequate infrastructure in place.

“Since Thoothukudi port is strategically located close to the international sea route, container shipments have made big strides. Chances are high for shipping cargo through air as stakeholders have trade links with Middle East and South East Asian countries,” Johnson told DT Next.

“Moreover, the airport expansion work would create opportunities for developing an aircraft maintenance facility here, besides helping Thoothukudi to emerge as an alternative to Colombo in terms of passenger traffic,” he said.

Once the expansion work is over, the runway length would see an increase from the existing 1,350 to 3,115 metres, enabling the operation of wide-bodied aircraft from the Thoothukudi airport. Airport Director Subramanian said a preliminary estimate for extension of runway, taxiway, control tower, fire station and a new terminal building with a capacity to handle around 300 passengers has been sent to the Corporate Headquarters of AAI in New Delhi. The project is estimated to cost more than Rs 500 crore. Once the AAI board gives its approval, tenders would be called for. Currently, there are five daily services between Thoothukudi and Chennai. Subramanian said safety-related assessments are being done since some towers located on the aircraft approach path needs to be removed. “A NOC has been issued to the Forest Department to install an obstruction light on Vallanadu hill. Once the process is cleared, more such lights would be installed and the long-awaited night operation at the airport can be made functional by May this year,” he added.