TN Budget 2025: Forget Hosur & Parandur, Tamil Nadu To Get New Airport In This District

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025: The DMK government on Friday announced that it has plans to build a new airport in Rameswaram, located in Ramanathapuram district, aiming to accommodate the rising influx of tourists.

Thangam Thennarasu's Big Announcement

State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, while presenting the budget in the Assembly on Friday, emphasized the role of aviation infrastructure in boosting economic growth. He stated that the DMK government is committed to expanding existing airports while establishing new ones to enhance connectivity, particularly in South Tamil Nadu.

He noted that the land acquisition worth ₹2,038 crore has been completed for the Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Thoothukudi airports and handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The Finance Minister claimed that the expansion of Salem Airport is underway, with ₹350 crore allocated for land acquisition.

Hosur And Parandur Airports

The ambitious Parandur Greenfield Airport project near Chennai is being expedited, though local villagers' demands for relocation remain a key challenge. Meanwhile, efforts are progressing on setting up an airport in Hosur.

The AAI has submitted a draft feasibility report to the Tamil Nadu government after evaluating two shortlisted sites. The next steps include an Obstacle Limitation Surface Survey and air space analysis, as reported by The Hindu.

Currently, the state has six operational airports, including international hubs in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirapalli. The addition of an airport in Hosur could enhance connectivity and boost economic growth, but it remains to be seen how the regulatory and logistical hurdles will be navigated.

FM On NEP In Budget Speech

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, in his budget speech, said that the Tamil Nadu government will not be bogged down by the Centre's pressure to implement the three-language formula in the state. Thenarasu said, "The Union government did not release ₹2,150 crore to the Tamil Nadu government due to the state's refusal to accept the three-language policy. The state government itself has released funds for this from its own financial resources," The Hindu reported.

His remarks come as the DMK government locked horns with the Centre on implementing the National Education Policy in the state. Adding fuel to the tensions, the Stalin government has replaced the rupee symbol,'₹', in its budget logo with Tamil letter 'ரு' (Ru), the first letter of Tamil word 'Rubaai'.