Two destinations – Pannur and Parandur – have been shortlisted by the Airports Authority of India for the city’s second airport and recently sent to the state government.
According to Airports Authority of India (AAI) sources, initially, a team from Chennai inspected four sites at Pannur, Parandoor, Tiruppur and Padalam and prepared a pre-feasibility report. As talks were on to allow the existing airport to continue into Tirusulam, for any passenger who needs to travel to the greenfield airport, it would be a long drive. “After carefully considering various aspects of the four sites, both of them have been shortlisted. The sites of Padalam and Tiruppur have some constraints and limitations. We have forwarded it to Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), which will take it up with the state government,” said a source. The price and availability of land in both these places will be seen before taking a final decision.
A greenfield airport for Chennai requires at least 2,000 to 3,000 acres of land. Now, TIDCO will discuss the next course of action with the state government for choosing a site.
“AAI has recommended only two sites for further study. Thereafter, a techno-feasibility study and barrier boundary surface and some other checks have to be done before finalizing the site. Then, a steering committee from the Center has to approve the site. Subsequently, the site has to take several clearances for the construction of a greenfield airport. Even if the work is done at a brisk pace, the second airport will become a reality only in about five years,” said another source.