Two sites — Pannur and Parandur — have been shortlisted by Airports Authority of India for the city’s second airport and referred to the State government recently.
According to sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI), initially, a team from Chennai inspected four sites at Pannur, Parandur, Tiruporur and Padalam and prepared a pre-feasibility report. Since talks were on to allow the existing airport to continue at Tirusulam, for any passenger who needs to travel to the greenfield airport, it will be a long drive. “After carefully deliberating on various aspects of four sites, these two have been shortlisted. The sites at Padalam and at Tiruporur have some constraints and limitations. We have sent it to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) which will take it up with the State government,” a source said. The cost and availability of land in these two locations will be looked at before taking a final decision.
A greenfield airport for Chennai requires at least 2,000 to 3,000 acres of land. Now, TIDCO will hold discussions with the State government on the next course of action for choosing a site.
“The AAI has only recommended two sites for further studies. After this, techno-feasibility study and obstruction limitation surface and a few other checks have to done before finalising a site. Then, a steering committee from the Centre will have to approve the site. Subsequently, the site has to get several clearances for constructing a greenfield airport. Even if the work is taken up at a fast pace, the second airport will be a reality only in about five years,” another source said.
