Poll code again delays Vellore airport completion by 2 months

It may be recalled that the airport completion was delayed due to the announcement of the parliamentary polls and the delay in Highway Department handing over the land to the concerned department. The announcement of parliamentary elections on April 18 delayed the project due to the model code of conduct. Once again the construction slowed down as the State Highway Department delayed in handing over the land to Airports Authority of India (AAI) to complete the perimeter road at a cost of Rs 1.30 crore, obstructing the early completion of the project.

Officials said that the Asanambut road—from the Chennai-Bangalore national highway— now runs between the airport runway and the terminal building. However, Asanambut road could be closed only after the works for the road on the airport’s perimeter was completed. The officials also worry that Asanambut locals could create a ruckus if the road was closed without providing an alternative.

According to contractor Karthik of Erode, “The delay in handing over of the land for construction of the perimeter road by the Highways Department put off the facility becoming functional by two months more.”

While the ducting work for air-conditioning the Rs 7.40 crore terminal building is currently going on, Karthik said, “This work will be completed in two months.” Though the runway work that includes the expansion of 850 metres to accommodate 20 seater aircraft is over, the final work would get over only after the Asanambut road is closed.

When asked about the project, Transport Department officials in Chennai on condition of anonymity said, “We do not understand the reason for the delay as an official letter on this issue was addressed to the Highways Department recently.” As the airport work started long before the announcement of April 18 poll, the reason for the delay has to be investigated,said sources.