Construct new airport instead of expanding: PMK's proposal

Chennai, Mar 10 (UNI) The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a key constituent of the DPA in Tamil Nadu, providing outside support to the ruling DMK, today urged the state government to give up the proposed expansion of the Chennai airport and consider construction of a new airport on the suburbs.

In a statement here, PMK founder leader S Ramadoss said instead of expanding the present airport, the government could consider construction of a new airport in Oragadam or Sriperumbdur with world class standards.

''Setting up the airports in Orgadam or Sriperumbudur will boost the state's economy more than its own expectations'', he added.

Referring to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's remarks that the government was considering looking for alternate location to rehabilitate the people who would be affected by the proposed expansion, he said this has created fear in the minds of the people living in the areas which would be used for the expansion.

Mr Karunanidhi's statement expressing doubts whether those espousing the cause of these people would accept the offer of alternative locations, only showed that the state government was yet to take a clear stand on the issue.

Recalling Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's assurance in Parliament that the Centre would adopt a humane approach in respect of acquiring lands for SEZ projects, Dr Ramadoss said this would also hold good for the airport expansion projects.

He said there was no doubt that developing the Chennai airport on par with Delhi and Mumbai airport would boost the economy. But the government should also think whether it would be correct to ruin the economy of the people by displacing them to acquire lands for expansion.

UNI