Give up airport runway project: Rudy

Chennai, Jul 13 (UNI) Senior BJP Leader and Former Union Minister Rajiv Prathap Rudy today urged the Tamil Nadu Government to drop the proposed move to construct a new airport runway, as it would displace about 5.000 families in the surrounding areas. Mr Rudy has also sought the Left's support on the issue.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Rudy, who was in town to participate in a demonstration along with local people against the project, said the state government should have opted for a greenfield airport, on the lines of Hyderabad and Bangalore, to meet the future infrastructural needs.

''The project is neither sensible nor economically viable. It does not suit the status of a developing state like Tamil Nadu,'' he said and alleged the proposal was designed at benefitting a few ruling DMK and the AIADMK loyalists, who had purchased land in and around the existing airport.

Describing it as an emotive issue, Mr Rudy said a group headed by State BJP President C P Radhakrishnan and Senior Leader Su Thirunavukkarasar would take up the issue with the Union Finance, Home and Environment Ministers.

Besides raising the issue in Parliament, the BJP would also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to prevail upon the state to deny permission for the second runway.

''It is a very serious issue and the BJP appeals to the state government to review the decision and go in for a greenfield project helping Chennai to become the hub of international travel, especially in South East Asia and prove beneficial to national and state interests.

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