As Tamil Nadu Eyes Airport In Hosur Next To Bengaluru, Parandur Airport Set To Get AAI's Nod

Amid Tamil Nadu government preparing to construct a greenfield airport in Hosur, near to Bengaluru, the Centre is reportedly on the verge of granting approval for an airport in Parandur in Tamil Nadu.

Apart from Parandur, the Centre is considering giving clearance to two other greenfield airports in Kota in Rajasthan and Puri in Odisha, according to a recent report in The Businessline.

The Parandur airport is set to become the second such facility serving Chennai, which could possibly ease the city's growing air traffic demands. If approved, construction is expected to take at least three years to complete.

Progress Under Greenfield Airports Policy

These projects are part of the Greenfield Airports (GFA) policy, which follows a two-stage approval process:

1. Site Clearance: Assessing the proposed location for technical feasibility.
2. In-Principle Approval: Reviewing a detailed project report (DPR), including a techno-economic feasibility study.

The Parandur, Kota, and Puri airports are currently in the second stage of this process. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), alongside agencies such as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and ministries like Home and Defence, is deliberating on granting the approvals, the report added.

Sources told the publication: "The greenfield airport projects are the cornerstone to enhance connectivity and spur economic activity. We are hopeful that 'in-principle' approval for these projects will be granted soon."

The proposed Parandur airport adds to Tamil Nadu's ambitious infrastructure plans. In recent years, MoCA has granted site clearance to seven greenfield airports, including those in Parandur, Kottayam (Kerala), and Mandi (Himachal Pradesh).

Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has submitted a preliminary project report to the Tamil Nadu government for a satellite terminal at Chennai airport. The terminal will include multi-level car parking and an office space, accessible via an elevated corridor along National Highway 32.

This Parandur project comes at a time when the DMK governement is planning to build a greenfield airport in Hosur. On the other hand, the Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted two locations in Hosur, Krishnagiri district, for the greenfield airport which will address the region's growing manufacturing and logistics needs. However, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is yet to conduct a detailed feasibility study of the sites.

India's Expanding Airport Network

Under the GFA policy, the Centre has so far granted in-principle approval for 21 greenfield airports, of which 12 are operational. These include airports in Mopa (Goa), Kannur (Kerala), and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh). India currently has 159 operational airports, comprising both greenfield and brownfield facilities.