Government Approves Site Clearance for New Parandur Airport in Tamil Nadu

A steering committee of the Union government on greenfield airports has approved site clearance for a proposed airport in Parandur, Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) submitted an application to the civil aviation ministry under the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008. This proposal was examined in consultation with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and Ministry of Defence/Indian Air Force.

Representative image

Greenfield Airport Proposal

After thorough consultations, the proposal was presented to the Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports. The committee recommended granting site clearance to TIDCO for developing the greenfield airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed this development on 9 July 2024 in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The minister also stated that under the GFA policy, TIDCO is responsible for implementing airport projects, including funding and land acquisition. This responsibility ensures that state government entities manage the development process efficiently.

Calicut Airport Safety Measures

Meanwhile, AAI has committed nearly Rs 485 crore for filling and levelling land for the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) at Calicut airport in Kerala. This decision follows a deadly plane crash at the airport in 2020, prompting the ministry to set up a committee of aviation experts to oversee recommendations by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

AAI projected a land requirement of 14.5 acres to the Kerala government for providing RESA of 240 metres at both runway ends at Calicut airport. On 19 October 2023, the state government handed over 12.54 acres of land to AAI, and environmental clearance was issued on 11 July 2024, according to Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.

Funding and Timeline

As a special measure, AAI has offered to bear the cost of filling and levelling land for RESA provision at Calicut international airport. Administrative approval and expenditure sanction have been granted for Rs 484.57 crore, including GST, by AAI for this purpose. The projected timeline for completing this work is December 2025, subject to mandatory clearances.

The approval and funding decisions reflect efforts to enhance safety and operational feasibility at Calicut airport. These measures aim to support wide-body aircraft operations while ensuring compliance with safety standards.

The developments at both Parandur and Calicut airports signify significant steps towards improving aviation infrastructure in India. These projects highlight the government's commitment to enhancing air travel safety and expanding airport facilities across the country.