AAI seeks more land for Vellore airport, TN seeks explanation

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has suddenly demanded an additional 400 acres for the expansion of the Vellore airport, whose construction is already in progress, but the state government has sought an explanation from the aviation body in this regard, according to top officials in Chennai.

According to sources, the AAI could have demanded additional land to accommodate bigger aircraft, which have a capacity of over 20 seats. However, the government has sought an explanation from the airport authority regarding the requirement for the additional land.

Last year, the central government sanctioned the expansion of the existing world war II aerodrome at Abdullapuram, 8 km from Vellore, as a tier II city airport. Following this, works began to increase the length of the runway to 850 metres to facilitate the movement of 20-seater aircraft.

However, the latest proposal from AAI seeking additional land came at a time when the work for the runway has almost been finished and construction of the terminal building at a cost of Rs 7.36 crore was nearing completion. The sudden demand for the additional land a few days back for the expansion of the airport has taken the TN government and Vellore district administration officials bysurprise.

According to sources, top officials have called for a meeting with the AAI next week to discuss the issue. “While the state government has already given 50 acres, including private land, we fail to understand why the AAI is seeking additional land when the airport itself is yet to become functional,” they wondered.

The chief engineer of the State Highways Department recently informed the officials in Chennai that laying of Rs 1.30 crore perimeter road would also not solve the problem. Elaborating on the need for the additional land, “As of now only the Bengaluru-Vellore-Chennai-Vellore-Bengaluru route is proposed. As clientele would mainly be from CMC, VIT and the Sripuram Golden Temple, it needs to be seen whether there will be enough traffic of bigger aircraft,” officials averred.

Following the reports of the delay in the airport project due to the model code of conduct, the locals were already bewildered on when the facility would become operational.