CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary L K Tripathy on Sunday visited the city airport and held discussions with the officials on the airport expansion project.
Sources said that Tripathy spoke to the top officials over the land acquisition for the new airport planned at Manapakkam village in Kanchipuram district.
On Dec 5, 2007, the Madras High Court had restrained the Tamil Nadu government from proceeding further on acquisition of lands of Manapakkam village, after 15 persons approached the court to stay the land acquisition.
The government has identified 1,070 acres in Sriperumbudur taluk for the expansion of the Chennai airport.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/TN_Chief_Secy_holds_talks_on_airport_expansion_project/articleshow/2626223.cms
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Protests rage against airport expansion projects
CHENNAI: What do you do when something you struggled to build with blood, sweat and tears is threatened? With the government planning to acquire their lands for the airport expansion project, the 1,000-odd families in Gerugambakkam are facing some of their worst fears.
Most residents of in the area are daily wage earners, who paid for the land in instalments. Unmindful of this, the government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), have chosen Gerugambakkam for the construction of a parallel runway.
"Many of us have bought the land by saving money earned from years of hard labour. Now, we have no place to go," said Hafeez Hussain, a resident of the area.
Some people have not completed the registration of their plots due to financial constraints. They fear that they may not be eligible for an alternative site due to the lack of registration. Villagers allege that the village administrative officers (VAOs) did not inform residents about the government decisions.
"Earlier, some of the officials told us not to worry as the government had dropped the idea of using our locality. However, after a few months, other officials told us that we would be asked to vacate by January. We have not been able to know what the real picture is," said Jagadambal, a resident.
On approaching the officials of the village administration department, residents were reportedly told that land had been allotted for them in Kovur, though no such assurance was given.
Villagers charge that many parts of Gerugambakkam are approved as purely residential areas. Despite this, the government has given permission for the construction of the runway. Residents also question why the AAI, which had previously dropped the idea of using the land, terming it "unfeasible", chose to use it now.
They add that even if the runway is constructed, it will be prone to floods as the Adyar river, flowing through the area, gets flooded during the rainy season.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071123000337&Page=E&Headline=Protests+rage+against+airport+expansion+projects&Title=Chennai&Topic=0
Most residents of in the area are daily wage earners, who paid for the land in instalments. Unmindful of this, the government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), have chosen Gerugambakkam for the construction of a parallel runway.
"Many of us have bought the land by saving money earned from years of hard labour. Now, we have no place to go," said Hafeez Hussain, a resident of the area.
Some people have not completed the registration of their plots due to financial constraints. They fear that they may not be eligible for an alternative site due to the lack of registration. Villagers allege that the village administrative officers (VAOs) did not inform residents about the government decisions.
"Earlier, some of the officials told us not to worry as the government had dropped the idea of using our locality. However, after a few months, other officials told us that we would be asked to vacate by January. We have not been able to know what the real picture is," said Jagadambal, a resident.
On approaching the officials of the village administration department, residents were reportedly told that land had been allotted for them in Kovur, though no such assurance was given.
Villagers charge that many parts of Gerugambakkam are approved as purely residential areas. Despite this, the government has given permission for the construction of the runway. Residents also question why the AAI, which had previously dropped the idea of using the land, terming it "unfeasible", chose to use it now.
They add that even if the runway is constructed, it will be prone to floods as the Adyar river, flowing through the area, gets flooded during the rainy season.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071123000337&Page=E&Headline=Protests+rage+against+airport+expansion+projects&Title=Chennai&Topic=0
Radio taxis set to storm airports, cities in south
NEW DELHI: As a part of its ambitious expansion, Carzonrent India Private Limited plans to tap the market in south Indian cities by launching its popular radio taxi services.
"Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad are the immediate focus market for the company," said Rajiv K Vij, Managing Director Carzonrent India (P) Ltd, talking about the firm's foray into the Southern market.
The firm has bid for tenders floated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd and Bangalore International Airport to operate radio taxis. Both these airports will be operational in the first quarter of 2008.Carzonrent, which is the sole licensee for Hertz International in India, had launched the Easy Cab services with 350 radio taxis in the national Capital in December 2006.
"We are planning to hit the road with a fleet of 1000 easy cabs each at both these airports," Vij said adding that firm had earmarked Rs 100 crore to buy these cabs that are fitted state-of-the-art technology like GPRS technology, digital fare meters and thermal printers for issuing bill.Besides operating in these airports, Carzonrent is also planning to serve the locals in both cities. "We plan to introduce around 500 easy cabs each in these cities", said Sakshi Vij, marketing manager, who had toured the South recently to ascertain market potential in both the cyber cities.
A recruitment drive is on to induct 7000 chauffeurs who will serve in these two cities. To make the ride in the easy cabs a pleasant experience all the selected chauffeurs are being subjected to written, spoken, attitude, psychology, road knowledge and behaviour.
In Chennai, the firm is planning to launch 250 radio taxis initially in the New Year. Modelled on the lines of Yellow Cabs in New York, the USA, and Comfort Cabs in Singapore, Easy cabs is also offering swipe machines for payments through credit cards.
For this purpose, Easy Cabs has tied up with ICICI bank.Vij, who broke even with 10-12 per cent profitability after launching the service with 350 cabs in the Capital, is planning to strengthen the fleet in the city with 300 more such cabs. Pune and Jaipur will be other second- tier cities where the firm plans to set its foot soon.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEB20071227141820&Page=B&Headline=Radio+taxis+set+to+storm+airports%2C+cities+in+south&Title=Business&Topic=0
"Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad are the immediate focus market for the company," said Rajiv K Vij, Managing Director Carzonrent India (P) Ltd, talking about the firm's foray into the Southern market.
The firm has bid for tenders floated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd and Bangalore International Airport to operate radio taxis. Both these airports will be operational in the first quarter of 2008.Carzonrent, which is the sole licensee for Hertz International in India, had launched the Easy Cab services with 350 radio taxis in the national Capital in December 2006.
"We are planning to hit the road with a fleet of 1000 easy cabs each at both these airports," Vij said adding that firm had earmarked Rs 100 crore to buy these cabs that are fitted state-of-the-art technology like GPRS technology, digital fare meters and thermal printers for issuing bill.Besides operating in these airports, Carzonrent is also planning to serve the locals in both cities. "We plan to introduce around 500 easy cabs each in these cities", said Sakshi Vij, marketing manager, who had toured the South recently to ascertain market potential in both the cyber cities.
A recruitment drive is on to induct 7000 chauffeurs who will serve in these two cities. To make the ride in the easy cabs a pleasant experience all the selected chauffeurs are being subjected to written, spoken, attitude, psychology, road knowledge and behaviour.
In Chennai, the firm is planning to launch 250 radio taxis initially in the New Year. Modelled on the lines of Yellow Cabs in New York, the USA, and Comfort Cabs in Singapore, Easy cabs is also offering swipe machines for payments through credit cards.
For this purpose, Easy Cabs has tied up with ICICI bank.Vij, who broke even with 10-12 per cent profitability after launching the service with 350 cabs in the Capital, is planning to strengthen the fleet in the city with 300 more such cabs. Pune and Jaipur will be other second- tier cities where the firm plans to set its foot soon.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEB20071227141820&Page=B&Headline=Radio+taxis+set+to+storm+airports%2C+cities+in+south&Title=Business&Topic=0
Cos line up for Kolkata, Chennai airports
NEW DELHI: Global construction majors have lined up for the Rs 3,700-crore airport modernisation plans in Kolkata and Chennai. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received 11 applications for the Rs 1,900-cr Kolkata project and 14 for the Rs 1,800-crore Chennai expansion programme.
Apart from Indian majors like L&T (which is building both the Delhi and Mumbai airports), the global names include Greece's AEGEK General Construction; Malaysia's Muhibbah Engineering and Britain's largest privately-owned construction firm Laing O'Rourke. The AAI is also going to appoint a project management consultant who would oversee the implementation of these two projects on a turnkey basis. Firms like US-based Louis Berger have applied for becoming the consultants.
AAI has taken up Chennai and Kolkata airports as a sort of challenge, mainly to prove a point that it can also build good airports, especially when private majors like GMR and GVK already implementing projects in Delhi and Mumbai airports.
"Several leading construction firms from Korea, Thailand, US, Europe and some Indian top names have applied for building the two airports. Both Chennai and Kolkata have to get integrated domestic-cum-international terminals. Chennai would see major work on the runway too," said a senior official.
The AAI has projected a total investment of Rs 12,430 crore in the 11th plan and a bulk of this would happen over the next three years when airports in Kolkata, Chennai, 35 non-metros, Agatti, Leh and J&K would be upgraded. In addition, the authority will also undertake major modernisation work on air traffic management and communication and navigation services.
"The next fiscal will see an investment of Rs 3,000 crore. We will raise about Rs 1,000 crore from the market using instruments like bonds and ECBs. Given our AAA rating, getting funds is not an issue. We are already being approached by banks," said the official.
The AAI will build terminals and operational areas in the non-metros and do complete modernisation at Kolkata and Chennai. The city-side development at non-metros will be done the PPP way. Already infrastructure majors like GMR, GVK, L&T and Omaxe have expressed interests in the city side projects that would include developing parking areas, hotels and commercial areas inside the terminals.
India is projected to witness an investment of Rs 41,000 crore in airport sector through private, AAI and JV ventures that could take the number of operational airports from over 100 to nearly 500.
Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Cos_line_up_for_Kolkata_Chennai_airports/articleshow/2656652.cms
Apart from Indian majors like L&T (which is building both the Delhi and Mumbai airports), the global names include Greece's AEGEK General Construction; Malaysia's Muhibbah Engineering and Britain's largest privately-owned construction firm Laing O'Rourke. The AAI is also going to appoint a project management consultant who would oversee the implementation of these two projects on a turnkey basis. Firms like US-based Louis Berger have applied for becoming the consultants.
AAI has taken up Chennai and Kolkata airports as a sort of challenge, mainly to prove a point that it can also build good airports, especially when private majors like GMR and GVK already implementing projects in Delhi and Mumbai airports.
"Several leading construction firms from Korea, Thailand, US, Europe and some Indian top names have applied for building the two airports. Both Chennai and Kolkata have to get integrated domestic-cum-international terminals. Chennai would see major work on the runway too," said a senior official.
The AAI has projected a total investment of Rs 12,430 crore in the 11th plan and a bulk of this would happen over the next three years when airports in Kolkata, Chennai, 35 non-metros, Agatti, Leh and J&K would be upgraded. In addition, the authority will also undertake major modernisation work on air traffic management and communication and navigation services.
"The next fiscal will see an investment of Rs 3,000 crore. We will raise about Rs 1,000 crore from the market using instruments like bonds and ECBs. Given our AAA rating, getting funds is not an issue. We are already being approached by banks," said the official.
The AAI will build terminals and operational areas in the non-metros and do complete modernisation at Kolkata and Chennai. The city-side development at non-metros will be done the PPP way. Already infrastructure majors like GMR, GVK, L&T and Omaxe have expressed interests in the city side projects that would include developing parking areas, hotels and commercial areas inside the terminals.
India is projected to witness an investment of Rs 41,000 crore in airport sector through private, AAI and JV ventures that could take the number of operational airports from over 100 to nearly 500.
Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Cos_line_up_for_Kolkata_Chennai_airports/articleshow/2656652.cms
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Chennai airport to be upgraded
Chennai airport to be upgraded New Delhi, Dec 20: Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today submitted a fresh proposal of Rs 1,800 crore to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for upgradation of the existing airport in Chennai.
The proposal was submitted after the state government failed to acquire land for a new greenfield airport in the state.
After the failure, the Aviation Minister decided to upgrade the facilities at the existing airport in Chennai for which the state government has promised acquiring of additional land for carrying out renovation activities.
Patel would be flying down to Chennai next month for giving a detailed presentation.
The Civil Aviation Minister also informed Karunanidhi that his ministry would be carrying out upgradation work in Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thoothukudi. (Agencies)
Published: Friday, December 21, 2007
Link:http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID={D16373F2-9422-46B3-8E59-B88E8A8FB578}&CATEGORYNAME=TAMNA
The proposal was submitted after the state government failed to acquire land for a new greenfield airport in the state.
After the failure, the Aviation Minister decided to upgrade the facilities at the existing airport in Chennai for which the state government has promised acquiring of additional land for carrying out renovation activities.
Patel would be flying down to Chennai next month for giving a detailed presentation.
The Civil Aviation Minister also informed Karunanidhi that his ministry would be carrying out upgradation work in Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thoothukudi. (Agencies)
Published: Friday, December 21, 2007
Link:http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID={D16373F2-9422-46B3-8E59-B88E8A8FB578}&CATEGORYNAME=TAMNA
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Runway over 300 houses derby
Runway over 300 houses derby
Sunday, November 18,2007
CHENNAI: Chennai airport expansion gets turbulent as local people are infuriated over 300 new houses to be demolished to construct the parallel runway. These houses under construction will soon be demolished.
The state government is acquiring 1070 acres of land between Manapakkam and Tharapakkam for the expansion plan despite having approved this area for construction earlier.
Kalyanaraman a victim of proposed demolition said, 'In all fairness the government should look for a different plan. Most of these families have already obtained loans. They are now required to repay although their dream homes will soon come under the hammer.
'Tamilselvan another victim said, 'No more construction has taken place Still we have been paying EMIs of twenty thousand rupees.'
Sathya also lost his house and said that because of agony and mental torture they are not able to concentrate on anything.
The state government says this is the only option which causes the least displacement and has assured people reasonable compensation.With real estate prices sky rocketing in Chennai this is no consolation for those who are losing their lifetime earnings.
It also raises the question that those who built their houses in government approved land be penalized.
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070033189&ch=11/18/2007%2010:16:00%20AM
Sunday, November 18,2007
CHENNAI: Chennai airport expansion gets turbulent as local people are infuriated over 300 new houses to be demolished to construct the parallel runway. These houses under construction will soon be demolished.
The state government is acquiring 1070 acres of land between Manapakkam and Tharapakkam for the expansion plan despite having approved this area for construction earlier.
Kalyanaraman a victim of proposed demolition said, 'In all fairness the government should look for a different plan. Most of these families have already obtained loans. They are now required to repay although their dream homes will soon come under the hammer.
'Tamilselvan another victim said, 'No more construction has taken place Still we have been paying EMIs of twenty thousand rupees.'
Sathya also lost his house and said that because of agony and mental torture they are not able to concentrate on anything.
The state government says this is the only option which causes the least displacement and has assured people reasonable compensation.With real estate prices sky rocketing in Chennai this is no consolation for those who are losing their lifetime earnings.
It also raises the question that those who built their houses in government approved land be penalized.
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070033189&ch=11/18/2007%2010:16:00%20AM
Message in The Hindu_18_11_2007
“Identify alternative land for airport expansion”
Special Correspondent
Villagers call present proposal to acquire land ’unilateral’
— PHOTO: A. MURALITHARAN VOICING CONCERN:
Residents of Gerugambakkam and nearby villages at the meeting held on Saturday.
TAMBARAM: A large number of residents of Gerugambakkam and adjoining villages near Porur met on Saturday, urging the State government and Airports Authority of India to identify and acquire vacant land for modernisation and expansion of the Chennai Airport land for developing a greenfield airport.
Residents of Gerugambakkam, Manapakkam, Thaarapakkam, Kolapakkam and Kovur villages, that are constituent villages of the Kunrathur Panchayat Union of Kancheepuram district, met at E.V.P. Town in Gerugambakkam.
They told reporters that the State government’s proposal to acquire more than 1,000 acres for the proposed expansion and modernisation of the airport came as a rude shock to them. Though the Centre had made it clear that a humane approach should be adopted during land acquisition for development works, the present proposal of the State government was unilateral, speakers at the meeting said.
Referring to a note issued by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in June 2006, K. Balesh, a resident, said it was specifically mentioned that land coming under certain survey numbers in Gerugambakkam and Thaarapakkam villages were classified under ‘Primary Residential Use Zone and it is not affected by the proposed International Airport in Kancheepuram district’. But the same villages were now proposed to be acquired for the project.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/19/stories/2007111953340300.htm
Special Correspondent
Villagers call present proposal to acquire land ’unilateral’
— PHOTO: A. MURALITHARAN VOICING CONCERN:
Residents of Gerugambakkam and nearby villages at the meeting held on Saturday.
TAMBARAM: A large number of residents of Gerugambakkam and adjoining villages near Porur met on Saturday, urging the State government and Airports Authority of India to identify and acquire vacant land for modernisation and expansion of the Chennai Airport land for developing a greenfield airport.
Residents of Gerugambakkam, Manapakkam, Thaarapakkam, Kolapakkam and Kovur villages, that are constituent villages of the Kunrathur Panchayat Union of Kancheepuram district, met at E.V.P. Town in Gerugambakkam.
They told reporters that the State government’s proposal to acquire more than 1,000 acres for the proposed expansion and modernisation of the airport came as a rude shock to them. Though the Centre had made it clear that a humane approach should be adopted during land acquisition for development works, the present proposal of the State government was unilateral, speakers at the meeting said.
Referring to a note issued by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in June 2006, K. Balesh, a resident, said it was specifically mentioned that land coming under certain survey numbers in Gerugambakkam and Thaarapakkam villages were classified under ‘Primary Residential Use Zone and it is not affected by the proposed International Airport in Kancheepuram district’. But the same villages were now proposed to be acquired for the project.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/19/stories/2007111953340300.htm
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Cabinet go-ahead for land acquisition
Cabinet go-ahead for land acquisitionThursday November 8 2007 08:47 IST
CHENNAI: The State Cabinet has approved handing over of 1069.99 acres of land, identified in Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam, to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the expansion of the Chennai Airport.
Sources said this was a green signal for the Kancheepuram district administration to start acquiring the land, identified earlier for the airport expansion works worth Rs 2,700 crore.
The transport department had recommended that the Chennai Metropolitan Development Agency (CMDA) freeze construction works in the four areas in July.
A proposal to expand the airport into the North- Western side of the existing airport was taken at a meeting of all parties of the legislature, convened by the DMK government in May.
The meet had also approved the identification and acquisition of land in the four localities and dropped the earlier proposal to expand the airport into the Pozhichalur and Cowl Bazaar areas.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071107222605&Page=9&Headline=Cabinet+go%2Dahead+for+land+acquisition&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
CHENNAI: The State Cabinet has approved handing over of 1069.99 acres of land, identified in Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam, to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the expansion of the Chennai Airport.
Sources said this was a green signal for the Kancheepuram district administration to start acquiring the land, identified earlier for the airport expansion works worth Rs 2,700 crore.
The transport department had recommended that the Chennai Metropolitan Development Agency (CMDA) freeze construction works in the four areas in July.
A proposal to expand the airport into the North- Western side of the existing airport was taken at a meeting of all parties of the legislature, convened by the DMK government in May.
The meet had also approved the identification and acquisition of land in the four localities and dropped the earlier proposal to expand the airport into the Pozhichalur and Cowl Bazaar areas.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071107222605&Page=9&Headline=Cabinet+go%2Dahead+for+land+acquisition&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
Chennai airport infrastructure stretched, State informs court
Land acquisition orders for proposed expansion justified
Order freezing building activities to avoid loss”
“Project is of paramount public interest”
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government has informed the Madras High Court that the acquisition proceedings for the proposed Chennai Airport expansion plan have commenced, and that existing facilities at the airport have reached a saturation point.
In a counter-affidavit in response to a writ petition filed by E.V.P. Housing Chennai Private Limited, the Transport Secretary said the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) had been directed to freeze all building activities in the approach area and issue suitable instructions after getting full details from the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
The official further stated that the AAI, in a letter dated August 1, had approved acquisition of 1,069.99 acres on the northern side of the existing airport.
The purpose of the July 9 order of the State Government, on the freezing of building activities, “is to avoid unnecessary financial loss to the Government in paying compensation for the proposed acquisition, since the compensation will have to be paid for the superstructures on the lands proposed to be acquired.”
Reiterating that the Government was within its jurisdiction and competent to issue acquisition orders in the interest of general public, the Secretary said compensation would be paid to the landowners as per law. The order freezing the building construction activity was in no way against the rights guaranteed to the petitioner under the Town and Country Planning Act.
Describing the project as of “paramount public interest,” the counter said there was an imminent need to expand the existing airport necessarily to cater to the increasing passenger and cargo traffic.
“Unless the present airport is expanded, international flights will automatically prefer neighbouring airports, preferring not to land at Chennai. And Chennai might lose its present advantage of being the best destination for investments by various entrepreneurs…,” the counter further said.
Justice A. Kulasekaran, before whom the matter came up for hearing, adjourned the hearing by a week.
Link:http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/11/08/stories/2007110854080400.htm
Order freezing building activities to avoid loss”
“Project is of paramount public interest”
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government has informed the Madras High Court that the acquisition proceedings for the proposed Chennai Airport expansion plan have commenced, and that existing facilities at the airport have reached a saturation point.
In a counter-affidavit in response to a writ petition filed by E.V.P. Housing Chennai Private Limited, the Transport Secretary said the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) had been directed to freeze all building activities in the approach area and issue suitable instructions after getting full details from the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
The official further stated that the AAI, in a letter dated August 1, had approved acquisition of 1,069.99 acres on the northern side of the existing airport.
The purpose of the July 9 order of the State Government, on the freezing of building activities, “is to avoid unnecessary financial loss to the Government in paying compensation for the proposed acquisition, since the compensation will have to be paid for the superstructures on the lands proposed to be acquired.”
Reiterating that the Government was within its jurisdiction and competent to issue acquisition orders in the interest of general public, the Secretary said compensation would be paid to the landowners as per law. The order freezing the building construction activity was in no way against the rights guaranteed to the petitioner under the Town and Country Planning Act.
Describing the project as of “paramount public interest,” the counter said there was an imminent need to expand the existing airport necessarily to cater to the increasing passenger and cargo traffic.
“Unless the present airport is expanded, international flights will automatically prefer neighbouring airports, preferring not to land at Chennai. And Chennai might lose its present advantage of being the best destination for investments by various entrepreneurs…,” the counter further said.
Justice A. Kulasekaran, before whom the matter came up for hearing, adjourned the hearing by a week.
Link:http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/11/08/stories/2007110854080400.htm
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Make land acquisition transparent, says BJP
CHENNAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party has insisted on a more transparent method of acquiring land for the airport expansion project.
In a statement here, the party’s State president L Ganesan stated that though airport expansion was necessary considering the increase in air traffic, the method in which the land was being acquired in Manapakkam had to be more transparent.He said, the residents of Manapakkam felt that there was no necessity of using their residential area for the expansion.
But the government had announced that residential areas would also be used for it.He also stressed the need for the people to know what plan the aviation sector had evolved for the expansion project.
He said that the residents harboured the fear that the private company to whom the task of acquiring the land would be given, might buy it from the people at a low price and later state that the land would not be necessary for expansion and sell it to outsiders at a high rate.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071106004919&Page=9&Headline=Make+land+acquisition+transparent%2C+says+BJP&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
In a statement here, the party’s State president L Ganesan stated that though airport expansion was necessary considering the increase in air traffic, the method in which the land was being acquired in Manapakkam had to be more transparent.He said, the residents of Manapakkam felt that there was no necessity of using their residential area for the expansion.
But the government had announced that residential areas would also be used for it.He also stressed the need for the people to know what plan the aviation sector had evolved for the expansion project.
He said that the residents harboured the fear that the private company to whom the task of acquiring the land would be given, might buy it from the people at a low price and later state that the land would not be necessary for expansion and sell it to outsiders at a high rate.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071106004919&Page=9&Headline=Make+land+acquisition+transparent%2C+says+BJP&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
Monday, November 5, 2007
IS Land acquisition a drama??-BJP
Land acquistion
Responding to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s State president L. Ganesan’s demand for transparency in land acquisition for the expansion of the Chennai airport, Mr. Karunanidhi said there was no need to have any doubts about the Government’s approach in such matters. He cited the example of procurement of colour televisions for the free colour TV scheme.
Visit:http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/05/stories/2007110559951000.htm
Responding to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s State president L. Ganesan’s demand for transparency in land acquisition for the expansion of the Chennai airport, Mr. Karunanidhi said there was no need to have any doubts about the Government’s approach in such matters. He cited the example of procurement of colour televisions for the free colour TV scheme.
Visit:http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/05/stories/2007110559951000.htm
EVP Land owners Association case coming in court tomorrow
THE CASE FILED BY EVP PLOTS OWNER'S ASSOCIATION WILL COME FOR HEARING TOMORROW (06-11-2007).
EXPECTING THE FINAL SURVEY NUMBERS FROM GOVERNMENT TOMORROW.
IT SEEMS THAT EVP MANAGEMENT HAD SHUT DOWN HIS OFFICE AND PEOPLE WHO HAD BOUGHT LAND ARE VERY MUCH WORRIED .
EXPECTING SOME RESULT FROM GOVERNMENT.
EVP HAD CHEATED THE PEOPLE.
EXPECTING THE FINAL SURVEY NUMBERS FROM GOVERNMENT TOMORROW.
IT SEEMS THAT EVP MANAGEMENT HAD SHUT DOWN HIS OFFICE AND PEOPLE WHO HAD BOUGHT LAND ARE VERY MUCH WORRIED .
EXPECTING SOME RESULT FROM GOVERNMENT.
EVP HAD CHEATED THE PEOPLE.
Friday, November 2, 2007
NEW G.O and OLD G.O LAND ACQ. VARIATION
The above details are from the G.O dated 09-07-2007 and there was change in land acquistion details from the one in the new G.O dated 09-10-2007
1. Tharapakkam: old one- 32.87.03 Hect's New one is - 32.56 Hect's
2. Gerugambakkam:Old one:- 146.09 Hect's New one-144.57.5 Hect's
3. Kollapakkam: old one:-159.88.5 Hect's New one- 145.69 Hect's
4. Manapakkam:old one- 94.35.0 Hect's New one-87.85.5 Hect's
There was some changes in manapakkam and kollapakkam in the new G.O, But THARAPAKKAM remains to unchanged.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
NEW G.O RELEASED-SAME LAND FOR CHENNAI AIRPORT EXPANSION
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
EXPECTING FINAL PLAN AND SURVEY Number on 01-11-2007
Dear all,
The case filled by EVP Plot onwers association came for hearing on 29-10-2007 in the chennai Highcourt and based on the request made by the association lawyer, the JUDGE had asked the government lawyer to provide the Final Drawing and survey number on 01-11-2007(Thursday).
From the 29-10-2007,it seems our land(EVP Town) will be affected. Please make your presence to chennai High court on thursday(01-11-2007) to fight for better compensation.
If we show our unity,then only JUDGE can do something in Fovour of us.
The case filled by EVP Plot onwers association came for hearing on 29-10-2007 in the chennai Highcourt and based on the request made by the association lawyer, the JUDGE had asked the government lawyer to provide the Final Drawing and survey number on 01-11-2007(Thursday).
From the 29-10-2007,it seems our land(EVP Town) will be affected. Please make your presence to chennai High court on thursday(01-11-2007) to fight for better compensation.
If we show our unity,then only JUDGE can do something in Fovour of us.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Airport expansion in legal wrangle
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the State Government to produce the records pertaining to its Government Order (GO) to acquire lands for expansion of Chennai airport, setting up of Greenfield airport and to freeze the building activities in the areas concerned.
The records should be produced in court on September 27. Justice A Kulasekaran gave the directive on a writ petition filed by EVP Housing Chennai Private Limited, challenging the State Government order dated July 9, 2007, for acquisition of 1,069.99 acres of lands in villages of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumbudur taluk and 4,820.66 acres of lands in Tiruvallur and Sriperumbudur taluks for the formation of Greenfield airport.
The Government in its impugned order also directed the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to take immediate action to freeze all the building activities in the ‘approach area’ and issue suitable notification after getting necessary proposals with full details from the Airports Authority of India.
According to the petitioner-company, it had developed layouts in Kolapakkam, Tharapakkam and Gerugambakkam areas after obtaining the layout approval from the CMDA in February 2005, while some people purchased the plots and started constructing houses through the petitioner.
Stating that it would not have developed the layout if the CMDA had not granted the approval, the petitioner said the Government’s proceedings to acquire the lands and freeze the building activities had resulted in great hardships to the petitioner-company and all the purchasers of lands.
Contending the Government’s order was arbitrary and liable to be set aside, the petitioner-company prayed the court to quash the same.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070918231409&Page=9&Headline=Airport+expansion+in+legal+wrangle&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
The records should be produced in court on September 27. Justice A Kulasekaran gave the directive on a writ petition filed by EVP Housing Chennai Private Limited, challenging the State Government order dated July 9, 2007, for acquisition of 1,069.99 acres of lands in villages of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumbudur taluk and 4,820.66 acres of lands in Tiruvallur and Sriperumbudur taluks for the formation of Greenfield airport.
The Government in its impugned order also directed the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to take immediate action to freeze all the building activities in the ‘approach area’ and issue suitable notification after getting necessary proposals with full details from the Airports Authority of India.
According to the petitioner-company, it had developed layouts in Kolapakkam, Tharapakkam and Gerugambakkam areas after obtaining the layout approval from the CMDA in February 2005, while some people purchased the plots and started constructing houses through the petitioner.
Stating that it would not have developed the layout if the CMDA had not granted the approval, the petitioner said the Government’s proceedings to acquire the lands and freeze the building activities had resulted in great hardships to the petitioner-company and all the purchasers of lands.
Contending the Government’s order was arbitrary and liable to be set aside, the petitioner-company prayed the court to quash the same.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070918231409&Page=9&Headline=Airport+expansion+in+legal+wrangle&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
Plea in court to stop land acquisition for city airport
Chennai, Sept. 18: A petition has been filed in the Madras high court challenging the government order on the proposed expansion of the Chennai airport and also the establishment of a Greenfield airport on the fringes of the city, by acquiring land in Kancheepuram district. Mr E.V. Perumalsamy Reddy, director of EVP Housing, Chennai, has in his petition urged the court to quash the government order dated July 9, 2007 claiming that the acquisition of land in Kancheepuram would not only cause huge losses to his firm which had bought land in the area but also to several middle class families which had also purchased plots at Tharapakkam, Kolapakkam and Gerugambakkam in suburban Chennai.
He submitted that the firm had bought the land at an enormous cost for developing layouts and providing housing to people. Being affordable, the plots came as a boon to the middle-income group, which could not afford to buy houses within the city. As the land was in disuse and was unfit for constructing houses, the firm had to develop it before handing it over to the buyers.
The entire area was prone to floods when the Adyar river was in spate. And so the firm had spent huge sums of money on developing the land and making it fit for building houses. He said the firm had obtained permission for developing the layout which it had called EVP Town and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority had approved the project.
He was shocked when the government passed the order which said the existing airport at Meenambakkam would be expanded by acquiring land in these parts, and he had sought clarification from the CMDA as to whether his land was included.
The CMDA had in its letter replied that his property did not form part of the proposed acquisition. So, the firm had proceeded with its developmental activities. But the government later cancelled the G.O and issued a fresh order in which the CMDA was directed to acquire land in the area where his project was taking shape.
Several landowners who had obtained loans from banks and purchased the plots in his housing project would suffer as result, he contended and urged the court to peruse government records and quash the G.O.
He pointed out that according to the order the all-legislative party leaders’ meeting held under the chairmanship of the chief minister on May 22, 2007, had proposed to acquire 1069.99 acres of land in the villages of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumbudur taluk of Kancheepuram district for expanding the Chennai airport. Also, 4820.66 acres of lands would be acquired for setting up a Greenfield airport.
The high court posted the case to September 27 for hearing.
Link:http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/home/homedetails.asp#Plea%20in%20court%20to%20stop%20land%20acquisition%20for%20city%20airport
He submitted that the firm had bought the land at an enormous cost for developing layouts and providing housing to people. Being affordable, the plots came as a boon to the middle-income group, which could not afford to buy houses within the city. As the land was in disuse and was unfit for constructing houses, the firm had to develop it before handing it over to the buyers.
The entire area was prone to floods when the Adyar river was in spate. And so the firm had spent huge sums of money on developing the land and making it fit for building houses. He said the firm had obtained permission for developing the layout which it had called EVP Town and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority had approved the project.
He was shocked when the government passed the order which said the existing airport at Meenambakkam would be expanded by acquiring land in these parts, and he had sought clarification from the CMDA as to whether his land was included.
The CMDA had in its letter replied that his property did not form part of the proposed acquisition. So, the firm had proceeded with its developmental activities. But the government later cancelled the G.O and issued a fresh order in which the CMDA was directed to acquire land in the area where his project was taking shape.
Several landowners who had obtained loans from banks and purchased the plots in his housing project would suffer as result, he contended and urged the court to peruse government records and quash the G.O.
He pointed out that according to the order the all-legislative party leaders’ meeting held under the chairmanship of the chief minister on May 22, 2007, had proposed to acquire 1069.99 acres of land in the villages of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumbudur taluk of Kancheepuram district for expanding the Chennai airport. Also, 4820.66 acres of lands would be acquired for setting up a Greenfield airport.
The high court posted the case to September 27 for hearing.
Link:http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/home/homedetails.asp#Plea%20in%20court%20to%20stop%20land%20acquisition%20for%20city%20airport
Court seeks details of land acquisition for airport projects
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has called for land acquisition details for the proposed expansion of the Chennai airport and the greenfield airport scheme.
Justice A. Kulasekaran gave the direction to the State Government on a writ petition filed by E.V.P. Housing Chennai Private Limited, which sought to quash a Government Order, dated July 9, freezing all construction activities in the notified areas. He adjourned the matter by a week.
The impugned GO, passed by the Transport Department, cancelled an earlier sanction for acquisition of 583 hectares for restructuring and modernising the Chennai airport. Instead, it sought to acquire 1,069.99 acres at Manappakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharappakkam in Sriperumpudur taluk of Kancheepuram district for expansion of the existing airport.
The GO also proposed to acquire another 4,820.66 acres for setting up a greenfield airport in Sriperumpudur and Thiruvallur taluks near Chennai.
The petitioner said he had purchased the land at a huge cost and invested significantly in developing the residential plots. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authorities accorded approval even as late as May 2006. However, due to the lack of coordination among different government agencies, an acquisition proposal and a consequent order freezing all construction in the areas had been issued.
Purchasers of housing plots were facing a piquant situation as they could not continue construction of their buildings as banks had stopped releasing funds. But, they had to continue repayment of the loan sum already received, the petitioner-company said.
The petitioner wanted the court to quash the order.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/19/stories/2007091961421000.htm
Justice A. Kulasekaran gave the direction to the State Government on a writ petition filed by E.V.P. Housing Chennai Private Limited, which sought to quash a Government Order, dated July 9, freezing all construction activities in the notified areas. He adjourned the matter by a week.
The impugned GO, passed by the Transport Department, cancelled an earlier sanction for acquisition of 583 hectares for restructuring and modernising the Chennai airport. Instead, it sought to acquire 1,069.99 acres at Manappakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharappakkam in Sriperumpudur taluk of Kancheepuram district for expansion of the existing airport.
The GO also proposed to acquire another 4,820.66 acres for setting up a greenfield airport in Sriperumpudur and Thiruvallur taluks near Chennai.
The petitioner said he had purchased the land at a huge cost and invested significantly in developing the residential plots. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authorities accorded approval even as late as May 2006. However, due to the lack of coordination among different government agencies, an acquisition proposal and a consequent order freezing all construction in the areas had been issued.
Purchasers of housing plots were facing a piquant situation as they could not continue construction of their buildings as banks had stopped releasing funds. But, they had to continue repayment of the loan sum already received, the petitioner-company said.
The petitioner wanted the court to quash the order.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/19/stories/2007091961421000.htm
Finally, Chennai is granted its decade-old wish: second airport
Rs1,700-2,000 cr plan to upgrade the existing airport has also been approved; bids maybe invited by January
In a change in policy, the Union government has approved a 4,000-acre site for Chennai’s second airport at Sriperumbudur, an hour’s drive from the city centre.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, which runs the Tamil Nadu government and is a key ally in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, had proposedthe site.
The government has also approved a plan to upgrade the current Chennai airport, at Meenambakkam, at an estimated cost of betweenRs1,700 crore and Rs2,000 crore. Bids for modernizing the airport, run by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), are likely to be invited by January, and awarded on a turnkey basis rather than splitting the contract between multiple engineering firms.
The civil aviation ministry had so far believed growing air traffic at Chennai could be accommodated by upgrading the existing airport. Chennai’s Anna International Airport, spread over 1,152 acres, is India’s third largest by air traffic and traffic is growing at 17.3% annually. At that rate and amid a paucity of land to expand operations, the government now believes Chennai will need a second airport. The airport, which handled 8.7 million passengers in 2006-07, is likely to reach its saturation capacity of nine million this year.
“We have asked them (the state government) to freeze the land so that whenever it has to be started (the process for second airport), we don’t face a similar problem,” said civil aviation secretary Ashok Chawla, referring to illegal encroachments that have hampered expansion at airports elsewhere in the country.
The latest Sriperumbudur site is the fifth that the state government has zeroed in on after the idea for a second airport in Chennai was floated a decade ago. Feasibility studies of the site still need to beundertaken.
The state government has been asked to examine a plan to connect the site, which falls on the Chennai-Bangalore highway to Bangalore, to the city through an expressway that can handle high-speed road traffic. The highway is already clogged as Sriperumbudur is home to many automotive and other industries.
“At the end of the day, (for) a city of this size, two airports should make sense,” says Nand Kumar, an analyst with Fitch Ratings. But, given the huge costs involved, it would work best if work started on the existing airport “leaving (the new one) for a later date”. The state government has said the new airport will be built by the AAI.
Expanding the Meenambakkam airport could, however, face trouble since it will require over 1,000-acre land to build a second parallel runway. Much of this required land, pockets of which are inhabited by local residents, has still not been handed over by the state government, delaying the airport modernization.
The state government has said it will be able to acquire about 300 acres, which is located ahead of a cross-runway at the airport and can be used to extend it further. A cross-runway is shorter than the main runway and bisects it at one end, and can be used for takeoffs or landing in tandem with the main runway.
But an expert said simultaneous operations of both the main runway and the cross-runway (one for landing and the other for takeoff) may not work well.
“Normally when the main runway has been blocked due to an accident or something, then you use the cross-runway,” said Gurcharan Bhatura, the AAI’s former executive director (operations), who has studied the Chennai airport.
The model, he said, was not working well at the Mumbai airport because “there is so much pressure (on Air Traffic Controllers) that even in a minor mismatch, there (is) a sound collision chance,” he said.
Link:http://www.livemint.com/2007/09/19001225/Finally-Chennai-is-granted-it.html
In a change in policy, the Union government has approved a 4,000-acre site for Chennai’s second airport at Sriperumbudur, an hour’s drive from the city centre.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, which runs the Tamil Nadu government and is a key ally in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, had proposedthe site.
The government has also approved a plan to upgrade the current Chennai airport, at Meenambakkam, at an estimated cost of betweenRs1,700 crore and Rs2,000 crore. Bids for modernizing the airport, run by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), are likely to be invited by January, and awarded on a turnkey basis rather than splitting the contract between multiple engineering firms.
The civil aviation ministry had so far believed growing air traffic at Chennai could be accommodated by upgrading the existing airport. Chennai’s Anna International Airport, spread over 1,152 acres, is India’s third largest by air traffic and traffic is growing at 17.3% annually. At that rate and amid a paucity of land to expand operations, the government now believes Chennai will need a second airport. The airport, which handled 8.7 million passengers in 2006-07, is likely to reach its saturation capacity of nine million this year.
“We have asked them (the state government) to freeze the land so that whenever it has to be started (the process for second airport), we don’t face a similar problem,” said civil aviation secretary Ashok Chawla, referring to illegal encroachments that have hampered expansion at airports elsewhere in the country.
The latest Sriperumbudur site is the fifth that the state government has zeroed in on after the idea for a second airport in Chennai was floated a decade ago. Feasibility studies of the site still need to beundertaken.
The state government has been asked to examine a plan to connect the site, which falls on the Chennai-Bangalore highway to Bangalore, to the city through an expressway that can handle high-speed road traffic. The highway is already clogged as Sriperumbudur is home to many automotive and other industries.
“At the end of the day, (for) a city of this size, two airports should make sense,” says Nand Kumar, an analyst with Fitch Ratings. But, given the huge costs involved, it would work best if work started on the existing airport “leaving (the new one) for a later date”. The state government has said the new airport will be built by the AAI.
Expanding the Meenambakkam airport could, however, face trouble since it will require over 1,000-acre land to build a second parallel runway. Much of this required land, pockets of which are inhabited by local residents, has still not been handed over by the state government, delaying the airport modernization.
The state government has said it will be able to acquire about 300 acres, which is located ahead of a cross-runway at the airport and can be used to extend it further. A cross-runway is shorter than the main runway and bisects it at one end, and can be used for takeoffs or landing in tandem with the main runway.
But an expert said simultaneous operations of both the main runway and the cross-runway (one for landing and the other for takeoff) may not work well.
“Normally when the main runway has been blocked due to an accident or something, then you use the cross-runway,” said Gurcharan Bhatura, the AAI’s former executive director (operations), who has studied the Chennai airport.
The model, he said, was not working well at the Mumbai airport because “there is so much pressure (on Air Traffic Controllers) that even in a minor mismatch, there (is) a sound collision chance,” he said.
Link:http://www.livemint.com/2007/09/19001225/Finally-Chennai-is-granted-it.html
HIGH COURT REJECTS THE CASE FILED BY EVP
Chennai High Court Rejected the case filed by EVP to issue stay order 
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Airport expansion: Work to start in January 2008
CHENNAI: The Rs 2700-crore expansion project of the Chennai airport will begin with a groundbreaking ceremony in January, 2008.A parallel runway, to be connected to the secondary runway by means of a taxi way, will be constructed along with a new integrated terminal building, to make the existing airport capable of handling passenger and air traffic till 2016, said K N Shrivastava, joint secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.
“Once the construction work begins, the project can be completed in 24 months. The new integrated terminal building with departure on the first floor and arrival on the ground floor will come up on the right side of the existing airport. Rs 1700 crore has been earmarked for the construction of the runway while Rs 1000 crore for the terminal building,’’ said Shrivastava.
He was part of a team of high-level officials which, on Friday, visited the identified site for the expansion of the existing airport at Sriperumbudur, where the Greenfield airport is proposed to be constructed.
The members of the team included Ashok Chawla, secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, K Ramalingam, chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Dinesh Kumar, director, Chennai Airport and Kancheepuram District Collector Pradeep Yadav.
“Everything has been finalized on the part of the AAI, which also handed over the land plan schedule to the district administration for the land acquisition almost a month ago,’’ he noted.
“As a rule there will not be any deviation from the land plan, submitted by the AAI. Architects have been appointed and a technical team has studied the project,’’ Shrivastava added.
He also said that the question of technical non-feasibility did not arise, even though the Adyar river flowed across the land identified for the expansion of the existing airport.
“There are several precedents of runways being built on bridges. Mumbai and London are examples,’’ he pointed out.
Greenfield airportAirport at Sriperumbudur will come up opposite the Saint Gobain factory, said K Ramalingam, chairman, AAI. Although the land had been identified, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the AAI had requested the simultaneous development of road and rail connectivity to the site, which had been included in the project proposal, he added.
K N Shrivastava, joint secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said that the Greenfield airport would be developed in time to meet the growth in passenger and air traffic that is expected to exceed the capacity of the existing airport in the future.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070903042807&Title=Chennai&rLink=0
“Once the construction work begins, the project can be completed in 24 months. The new integrated terminal building with departure on the first floor and arrival on the ground floor will come up on the right side of the existing airport. Rs 1700 crore has been earmarked for the construction of the runway while Rs 1000 crore for the terminal building,’’ said Shrivastava.
He was part of a team of high-level officials which, on Friday, visited the identified site for the expansion of the existing airport at Sriperumbudur, where the Greenfield airport is proposed to be constructed.
The members of the team included Ashok Chawla, secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, K Ramalingam, chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Dinesh Kumar, director, Chennai Airport and Kancheepuram District Collector Pradeep Yadav.
“Everything has been finalized on the part of the AAI, which also handed over the land plan schedule to the district administration for the land acquisition almost a month ago,’’ he noted.
“As a rule there will not be any deviation from the land plan, submitted by the AAI. Architects have been appointed and a technical team has studied the project,’’ Shrivastava added.
He also said that the question of technical non-feasibility did not arise, even though the Adyar river flowed across the land identified for the expansion of the existing airport.
“There are several precedents of runways being built on bridges. Mumbai and London are examples,’’ he pointed out.
Greenfield airportAirport at Sriperumbudur will come up opposite the Saint Gobain factory, said K Ramalingam, chairman, AAI. Although the land had been identified, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the AAI had requested the simultaneous development of road and rail connectivity to the site, which had been included in the project proposal, he added.
K N Shrivastava, joint secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said that the Greenfield airport would be developed in time to meet the growth in passenger and air traffic that is expected to exceed the capacity of the existing airport in the future.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070903042807&Title=Chennai&rLink=0
Work on second runway at Chennai airport to begin by January 2008
Monday, September 03, 2007
The construction of a second runway at the Chennai airport will begin by January 2008.
An investment of Rs.2,700 crore will be allocated for the expansion work. Of this, Rs.1,000 crore has been earmarked for the runway and the remaining for constructing the terminal building.
In August 2007, the Airports Authority of India officials had sent the Land Plan Schedule to the Kacheepuram district administration for starting the land acquisition process. A taxiway will be created to connect the second runway and the parallel runway. Work on the runway is scheduled for completion within 24 months from the date of commencement.
http://www.projectstoday.com/newsr.asp?newsid=19104
The construction of a second runway at the Chennai airport will begin by January 2008.
An investment of Rs.2,700 crore will be allocated for the expansion work. Of this, Rs.1,000 crore has been earmarked for the runway and the remaining for constructing the terminal building.
In August 2007, the Airports Authority of India officials had sent the Land Plan Schedule to the Kacheepuram district administration for starting the land acquisition process. A taxiway will be created to connect the second runway and the parallel runway. Work on the runway is scheduled for completion within 24 months from the date of commencement.
http://www.projectstoday.com/newsr.asp?newsid=19104
Monday, September 3, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Work on second runway soon
CHENNAI: The construction of a second runway at the Chennai airport will begin in January next year, K.N. Shrivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said on Friday.
Mr. Shrivastava inspected the site for the runway.
“The second runway work will be completed within 24 months from the day of beginning,” he said.
About a month ago Airports Authority of India officials sent the Land Plan Schedule to the Kacheepuram district administration for starting the land acquisition process, Mr. Shrivastava said.
A sum of Rs.2,700 crore would be allocated for the expansion work. Of this, Rs.1,000 crore had been earmarked for the runway and the remaining for constructing the terminal building. The new terminal building would come up on the right side of the existing airport, he said.
A taxiway would be created to connect the second runway and the parallel runway.
Inspection at Sriperumbudur
A team of officials led by Ashok Chawla, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, K.N. Shrivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dr. K. Ramalingam, Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Dr. K. Ramalingam, Southern Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, Dinesh Kumar, Chennai Airport Director and Prateep Yadav, Collector, Kancheepuram district inspected the area identified for the ‘Green Field Airport’ near the SIPCOT Industrial Estate at Sriperumbudur on Friday.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/02/stories/2007090260150600.htm
Mr. Shrivastava inspected the site for the runway.
“The second runway work will be completed within 24 months from the day of beginning,” he said.
About a month ago Airports Authority of India officials sent the Land Plan Schedule to the Kacheepuram district administration for starting the land acquisition process, Mr. Shrivastava said.
A sum of Rs.2,700 crore would be allocated for the expansion work. Of this, Rs.1,000 crore had been earmarked for the runway and the remaining for constructing the terminal building. The new terminal building would come up on the right side of the existing airport, he said.
A taxiway would be created to connect the second runway and the parallel runway.
Inspection at Sriperumbudur
A team of officials led by Ashok Chawla, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, K.N. Shrivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Dr. K. Ramalingam, Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Dr. K. Ramalingam, Southern Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, Dinesh Kumar, Chennai Airport Director and Prateep Yadav, Collector, Kancheepuram district inspected the area identified for the ‘Green Field Airport’ near the SIPCOT Industrial Estate at Sriperumbudur on Friday.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/02/stories/2007090260150600.htm
Secondary runway at Chennai airport to be extended
Chennai, Sept. 2 The expansion of the Chennai airport may well take up to June 2010 to complete, but an interim measure is being planned to enhance the capacity of the airport in the meantime.
The length of the existing secondary runway (the cross runway) is to be extended by about 300 metres, Mr K.N. Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, told Business Line here. (Speaking to Business Line later, Mr Dinesh Kumar, Director, Chennai Airport, said that the extension could be longer — more than 500 metres.)
Currently, Chennai can handle 30 flights an hour. Once the cross runway is extended, the airport can handle 45 flights an hour. However, after the entire expansion is over — that is, after the parallel runway comes up on the other side of the Adyar river — the secondary runway will become a taxi way, he said.
Meanwhile, the authorities were planning to spend Rs 200 crore on upgradation of the cargo handling facilities.
Mr Dinesh Kumar said that at present the airport could handle 2 lakh tonnes of cargo. The demand for cargo movement is growing by about 15 per cent a year.
The upgradation project, which will create more covered space, will meet the growing needs, he said.
Link:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/03/stories/2007090351501500.htm
The length of the existing secondary runway (the cross runway) is to be extended by about 300 metres, Mr K.N. Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, told Business Line here. (Speaking to Business Line later, Mr Dinesh Kumar, Director, Chennai Airport, said that the extension could be longer — more than 500 metres.)
Currently, Chennai can handle 30 flights an hour. Once the cross runway is extended, the airport can handle 45 flights an hour. However, after the entire expansion is over — that is, after the parallel runway comes up on the other side of the Adyar river — the secondary runway will become a taxi way, he said.
Meanwhile, the authorities were planning to spend Rs 200 crore on upgradation of the cargo handling facilities.
Mr Dinesh Kumar said that at present the airport could handle 2 lakh tonnes of cargo. The demand for cargo movement is growing by about 15 per cent a year.
The upgradation project, which will create more covered space, will meet the growing needs, he said.
Link:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/03/stories/2007090351501500.htm
Thursday, August 30, 2007
India's Greenest Airport-Chennai Airport
India's Greenest Airport
A team of firms won the $300 million project to transform Chennai International by 2010
by Neelam Mathews
The Airports Authority of India has chosen plans by a team of architects including Frederic Schwartz Architects, Hargreaves Associates, Gensler, and New Delhi-based Creative Group to expand the Chennai International Airport's domestic and international terminals. When completed in 2010, the $300 million project will transform Chennai, located in the city formerly known as Madras, into India's greenest airport.
The Kamraj Domestic Terminal, in particular, will showcase sustainable technologies. The 23-year-old building currently measures 139,931 square feet and handles 4.74 million passengers a year. Its revamped design will allow it to accommodate twice as many passengers in a three-story structure 984 feet long, encompassing some 781,460 square feet.
The organization of security and circulation forms the basis of the plan, which centers around two lush, ecologically sustainable gardens measuring nearly an acre apiece. "These gardens are visible throughout the terminal creating a unique dialogue between interior and exterior spaces," says Frederic Schwartz, who together with Creative Group was also recently awarded the commission to design a new terminal at India's Raipur airport, in the country's central region.
A parking garage with a green roof will create what the designers describe as a "green gate" to the terminal. "The folding geometry of the green roof captures and directs rain water during the rain season to the elliptical openings in the roof, creating shimmering ‘rain curtains' as the water falls through the garage to cisterns below. This stored water is later used during the dry season to irrigate the green roof and maximize the site's sustainable resources."
Gurpreet Shah, a Creative Group principal, notes that rain harvesting is mandated by Indian law. But Chennai's decision to go green was largely a voluntary one. Although the country is working to adopt the LEED rating system, the program will not cover airports. "We are conscious about it and will try to incorporate as much [sustainable technology] as we can," Shah says.
Link:http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/aug2007/id20070830_178924.htm?chan=innovation_architecture_top+stories
A team of firms won the $300 million project to transform Chennai International by 2010
by Neelam Mathews
The Airports Authority of India has chosen plans by a team of architects including Frederic Schwartz Architects, Hargreaves Associates, Gensler, and New Delhi-based Creative Group to expand the Chennai International Airport's domestic and international terminals. When completed in 2010, the $300 million project will transform Chennai, located in the city formerly known as Madras, into India's greenest airport.
The Kamraj Domestic Terminal, in particular, will showcase sustainable technologies. The 23-year-old building currently measures 139,931 square feet and handles 4.74 million passengers a year. Its revamped design will allow it to accommodate twice as many passengers in a three-story structure 984 feet long, encompassing some 781,460 square feet.
The organization of security and circulation forms the basis of the plan, which centers around two lush, ecologically sustainable gardens measuring nearly an acre apiece. "These gardens are visible throughout the terminal creating a unique dialogue between interior and exterior spaces," says Frederic Schwartz, who together with Creative Group was also recently awarded the commission to design a new terminal at India's Raipur airport, in the country's central region.
A parking garage with a green roof will create what the designers describe as a "green gate" to the terminal. "The folding geometry of the green roof captures and directs rain water during the rain season to the elliptical openings in the roof, creating shimmering ‘rain curtains' as the water falls through the garage to cisterns below. This stored water is later used during the dry season to irrigate the green roof and maximize the site's sustainable resources."
Gurpreet Shah, a Creative Group principal, notes that rain harvesting is mandated by Indian law. But Chennai's decision to go green was largely a voluntary one. Although the country is working to adopt the LEED rating system, the program will not cover airports. "We are conscious about it and will try to incorporate as much [sustainable technology] as we can," Shah says.
Link:http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/aug2007/id20070830_178924.htm?chan=innovation_architecture_top+stories
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
India to be recognized as a global aviation hub
The Government is committed to create a network of world-class airports in the country with a view to establishing India as a global aviation hub.
Measures have been taken
to augment capacity as a result of which additional capacity to handle 601.05 lakh passengers per annum on the domestic sector and 301.80 lakh passengers per annum
on international sector is under construction and is likely to be commissioned within the next two – three years.
This information was given by Praful Patel in a written reply to a question.
The Government has undertaken a number of major projects in pursuance of the above objective; to develop, expand, modernize the airports which include restructuring of
Delhi and Mumbai airport, through Joint Venture Route, for upgradation and modernization, at an estimated cost of Rs89bn and Rs70bn respectively. Modernizing and expansion of Kolkata and Chennai airports by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
For Full article,Please visit the following link
Link:http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=43282&lmn=1
Measures have been taken
to augment capacity as a result of which additional capacity to handle 601.05 lakh passengers per annum on the domestic sector and 301.80 lakh passengers per annum
on international sector is under construction and is likely to be commissioned within the next two – three years.
This information was given by Praful Patel in a written reply to a question.
The Government has undertaken a number of major projects in pursuance of the above objective; to develop, expand, modernize the airports which include restructuring of
Delhi and Mumbai airport, through Joint Venture Route, for upgradation and modernization, at an estimated cost of Rs89bn and Rs70bn respectively. Modernizing and expansion of Kolkata and Chennai airports by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
For Full article,Please visit the following link
Link:http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=43282&lmn=1
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Manapakkam investors left in the lurch
KANCHEEPURAM: A group of investors from Manapakkam, on the outskirts of Chennai, walked away from the District Collectorate with a sense of insecurity writ large on their faces here on Monday.
Talking to reporters, they said that several of them had invested their retirement benefits/ hard earned money in the housing project promoted by a Kilpauk-based real estate promoter during 2003-04.
“Being cautious by nature, we took utmost care in verifying the details presented to us by the promoter and also the veracity of a report that the National Airports Authority of India was looking for space for Chennai Airport Expansion project,” they said.
The investors heaved a sigh of relief at media reports that the NAAI had rejected the land acquisition proposal citing ‘poor’ and ‘weak’ soil conditions in Manapakkam, Gerugembakkam, Tharapakkam and Kolapakkam areas.
Subsequently, the very same promoter launched Phase-II township project in 2006 in same area.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/22/stories/2007082260280400.htm
Talking to reporters, they said that several of them had invested their retirement benefits/ hard earned money in the housing project promoted by a Kilpauk-based real estate promoter during 2003-04.
“Being cautious by nature, we took utmost care in verifying the details presented to us by the promoter and also the veracity of a report that the National Airports Authority of India was looking for space for Chennai Airport Expansion project,” they said.
The investors heaved a sigh of relief at media reports that the NAAI had rejected the land acquisition proposal citing ‘poor’ and ‘weak’ soil conditions in Manapakkam, Gerugembakkam, Tharapakkam and Kolapakkam areas.
Subsequently, the very same promoter launched Phase-II township project in 2006 in same area.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/22/stories/2007082260280400.htm
Sunday, August 12, 2007
AAI to invest Rs4000cr in Kol, Chennai a'port rejig
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has started modernisation work on the Kolkata and Chennai airports, K Ramalingam, chairman, AAI, said at a seminar on air route development today.
The development work will include construction of new terminals, additional runways and taxiways in both the airports. The AAI will spend Rs 2000 crore each for upgradation of the airports. The target year for completion of this project is 2010.
"We have drawn up plans to modernise both the airports. Designs of terminal buildings and expansion of existing ones have already been approved," said Ramalingam. He also said that the airport infrastructure at Chennai and Kolkata would be upgraded to make landing of aircraft like the Airbus A-380 possible.
AAI has already appointed consultants for the modernisation project, sources said. The consultant for Kolkata airport modernization is a consortium which Indian firms partnering with Hong Kong's RMJM and a Paris-based firm ADPI, while for Chennai the consultants are Creative Group with Frederic Schwartz and Genslers of the US.
After modernisation, Kolkata airport's passenger handling capacity will rise from 5.4 million passengers annually to 20 million by 2010. This will be sufficient for handling passengers till 2015-16. Work on nine domestic bays, three cargo bays and 11 additional parking bays has already started along with construction of the new terminal building.
In addition, a new ATC control tower is being built and automation being introduced in air traffic management and navigation. The new terminal building will have an area of around 180,000 sq metres. 104 check-in counters, 44 immigration counters, 25 security gates, five conveyor belts and 15 aerobridges will be the other features of the airport post development.
In Chennai, a new terminal building will be constructed and that along with the existing terminal will take passenger capacity from10 million annually to 30 million by 2010. This development work would make the airport adequate passenger handling capacity till 2015-16. The new terminal building will measure more than 140,000 sq mts. In addition to that there will be 140 check-in counters, 60 immigration counters, 7 security gates (3 international, 4 domestic), 4 conveyor belts and 7 aerobridges.
In addition to that, 7 inline baggage systems will be installed in five airports namely Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Srinagar and Calicut. The system makes it unnecessary for the passenger to go for pre-check through x-ray machines. They will directly check in and the baggages screened. This involves an expenditure of Rs 50 crore. The second phase will see these systems installed in 8 other airports viz Amritsar, Guwahati, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Vizag, Trichy, Jaipur and Udaipur.
Speaking at the seminar, Ramalingam said that there would soon be special strictures and guidelines for the airports across the country. Apart from guidelines laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA), there would be other customer service surveys across for all the 42 airports-6 metros and 35 non-metros in the country.
Currently, Airports Council International (ACI), an international airport body is conducting a airport service quality survey at the Delhi airport. The survey is based on 34 criteria like availability of parking facilities, efficiency of staff and finer details like sanitation and cleanliness of toilets.
Speaking about security and efficient air space navigation, Ramalingam said that the satellite based navigation system,GAGAN would be implemented by the beginning of 2010. A large part of the infrastructure is already in place and feasibility trials are being conducted. He also said that more radars were being procured for better air traffic control and within two years the entire airspace would have radar coverage with an efficient network between all the radars. He also said that efforts were being made to provide night landing facilities to airports across the country.
Link:http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=26448
The development work will include construction of new terminals, additional runways and taxiways in both the airports. The AAI will spend Rs 2000 crore each for upgradation of the airports. The target year for completion of this project is 2010.
"We have drawn up plans to modernise both the airports. Designs of terminal buildings and expansion of existing ones have already been approved," said Ramalingam. He also said that the airport infrastructure at Chennai and Kolkata would be upgraded to make landing of aircraft like the Airbus A-380 possible.
AAI has already appointed consultants for the modernisation project, sources said. The consultant for Kolkata airport modernization is a consortium which Indian firms partnering with Hong Kong's RMJM and a Paris-based firm ADPI, while for Chennai the consultants are Creative Group with Frederic Schwartz and Genslers of the US.
After modernisation, Kolkata airport's passenger handling capacity will rise from 5.4 million passengers annually to 20 million by 2010. This will be sufficient for handling passengers till 2015-16. Work on nine domestic bays, three cargo bays and 11 additional parking bays has already started along with construction of the new terminal building.
In addition, a new ATC control tower is being built and automation being introduced in air traffic management and navigation. The new terminal building will have an area of around 180,000 sq metres. 104 check-in counters, 44 immigration counters, 25 security gates, five conveyor belts and 15 aerobridges will be the other features of the airport post development.
In Chennai, a new terminal building will be constructed and that along with the existing terminal will take passenger capacity from10 million annually to 30 million by 2010. This development work would make the airport adequate passenger handling capacity till 2015-16. The new terminal building will measure more than 140,000 sq mts. In addition to that there will be 140 check-in counters, 60 immigration counters, 7 security gates (3 international, 4 domestic), 4 conveyor belts and 7 aerobridges.
In addition to that, 7 inline baggage systems will be installed in five airports namely Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Srinagar and Calicut. The system makes it unnecessary for the passenger to go for pre-check through x-ray machines. They will directly check in and the baggages screened. This involves an expenditure of Rs 50 crore. The second phase will see these systems installed in 8 other airports viz Amritsar, Guwahati, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Vizag, Trichy, Jaipur and Udaipur.
Speaking at the seminar, Ramalingam said that there would soon be special strictures and guidelines for the airports across the country. Apart from guidelines laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA), there would be other customer service surveys across for all the 42 airports-6 metros and 35 non-metros in the country.
Currently, Airports Council International (ACI), an international airport body is conducting a airport service quality survey at the Delhi airport. The survey is based on 34 criteria like availability of parking facilities, efficiency of staff and finer details like sanitation and cleanliness of toilets.
Speaking about security and efficient air space navigation, Ramalingam said that the satellite based navigation system,GAGAN would be implemented by the beginning of 2010. A large part of the infrastructure is already in place and feasibility trials are being conducted. He also said that more radars were being procured for better air traffic control and within two years the entire airspace would have radar coverage with an efficient network between all the radars. He also said that efforts were being made to provide night landing facilities to airports across the country.
Link:http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=26448
AAI begins work on Kolkata, Chennai airport upgrade
NEW DELHI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Friday said it has started work on modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports and will construct new terminals, additional runways and taxiways at a total estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore.
"We have drawn up ambitious plans to modernise these two airports. Designs of new terminal buildings and expansion of existing ones have already been approved for both the airports," AAI Chairman K Ramalingam said at a seminar on air route development here.
He said the estimated cost of modernising the two airports would be Rs 2,000 crore each and the target date is 2010. The plans also include the construction of new runways, parking spaces, taxiways and new airspace management and air traffic control systems.
The process of city-side development of these airports and connectivity was also being discussed, Ramalingam said. He also dwelt on the modernisation of 35 non-metro airports that were being developed simultaneously and the AAI was making efforts to meet the specific target set up for each project.
Special surveys were being conducted to check the standards of services being provided at metro airports, which would later be extended to the non-metro ones. Referring to the congestion in airspace over major airports like those in Delhi and Mumbai, Ramalingam said the development of new routes, besides enhancement of the technological capabilities of airspace management and ATC, was being looked into.
The seminar, organised by AAI and UK-based Route Development Group, would go into a gamut of issues relating to expansion of the air route network in India as well as the region.
Link:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/AAI_starts_work_on_modernisation/articleshow/2271670.cms
"We have drawn up ambitious plans to modernise these two airports. Designs of new terminal buildings and expansion of existing ones have already been approved for both the airports," AAI Chairman K Ramalingam said at a seminar on air route development here.
He said the estimated cost of modernising the two airports would be Rs 2,000 crore each and the target date is 2010. The plans also include the construction of new runways, parking spaces, taxiways and new airspace management and air traffic control systems.
The process of city-side development of these airports and connectivity was also being discussed, Ramalingam said. He also dwelt on the modernisation of 35 non-metro airports that were being developed simultaneously and the AAI was making efforts to meet the specific target set up for each project.
Special surveys were being conducted to check the standards of services being provided at metro airports, which would later be extended to the non-metro ones. Referring to the congestion in airspace over major airports like those in Delhi and Mumbai, Ramalingam said the development of new routes, besides enhancement of the technological capabilities of airspace management and ATC, was being looked into.
The seminar, organised by AAI and UK-based Route Development Group, would go into a gamut of issues relating to expansion of the air route network in India as well as the region.
Link:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/AAI_starts_work_on_modernisation/articleshow/2271670.cms
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Airports Authority of India to invest in the upgrade of Chennai and Kolkata airports
CAPA): Civil Aviation Ministry announced the Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to invest USD496 million in the upgrade of Chennai and Kolkata airports.
The total cost of modernising airports in both Chennai and Kolkata is estimated at over USD868 million. According to the Hindu Business Times, Ashok Chawla, Secretary stated, “AAI plans to raise about USD496 million mainly in 2008-09 and 2009-10 as a major portion of the work would be undertaken at that time.
AAI will decide on what is the cheapest manner of raising the money, whether domestically or through external commercial borrowing route”.The Ministry is additionally considering a request from the State governments to share costs for acquiring the required land for the airport expansions.
Currently State governments accept the total cost of acquiring land, which is then provided to AAI for airport expansion.
Link:http://indiaaviation.aero/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4095&Itemid=59
The total cost of modernising airports in both Chennai and Kolkata is estimated at over USD868 million. According to the Hindu Business Times, Ashok Chawla, Secretary stated, “AAI plans to raise about USD496 million mainly in 2008-09 and 2009-10 as a major portion of the work would be undertaken at that time.
AAI will decide on what is the cheapest manner of raising the money, whether domestically or through external commercial borrowing route”.The Ministry is additionally considering a request from the State governments to share costs for acquiring the required land for the airport expansions.
Currently State governments accept the total cost of acquiring land, which is then provided to AAI for airport expansion.
Link:http://indiaaviation.aero/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4095&Itemid=59
Sunday, July 22, 2007
ECB for upgrading Chennai, Kolkata airports
NEW DELHI: To fund the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports, the airport authority of India (AAI) would borrow Rs 2,000 crore.
Debt would be mopped up from the domestic market or channeled through external commercial borrowing (ECB).
Modernisation of the two airports is estimated to cost Rs 5,700 crore. “We are open to both the routes for generating money. Wherever we would find better rate of interest we would go for that,” civil aviation secretary Ashok Chawla said on the sidelines of a conference of chief secretaries on public-private partnership (PPP).
Earlier the government had planned to develop both the airports on public-private partnership on the lines of Delhi and Mumbai. However, the government has decided that upgradation of both airports would be done by AAI.
Link:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/ECB_for_upgrading_Chennai_Kolkata_airports/articleshow/2224278.cms
Debt would be mopped up from the domestic market or channeled through external commercial borrowing (ECB).
Modernisation of the two airports is estimated to cost Rs 5,700 crore. “We are open to both the routes for generating money. Wherever we would find better rate of interest we would go for that,” civil aviation secretary Ashok Chawla said on the sidelines of a conference of chief secretaries on public-private partnership (PPP).
Earlier the government had planned to develop both the airports on public-private partnership on the lines of Delhi and Mumbai. However, the government has decided that upgradation of both airports would be done by AAI.
Link:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/ECB_for_upgrading_Chennai_Kolkata_airports/articleshow/2224278.cms
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
AAI to modernise Chennai airport
Clearing the proposal to let Airports Authority of India (AAI) modernise and upgrade the existing Chennai airport, the Prime Minister's Committee on Infrastructure (CoI) also accorded an "in principle" approval to the setting up of a greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur.
With AAI likely to construct the new greenfield airport, the Tamil Nadu government's wish to get both the projects executed through AAI has been fulfilled.
"The first phase of development at the existing Chennai airport would be over by 2010 and will cost around Rs 2,350 crore. The additional land required for modernisation would be provided by the Tamil Nadu government," said civil aviation minister Praful Patel.
For the greenfield airport, Patel said 4,821 acres of land had already been identified by the state government and the AAI would now conduct a techno-feasibility study for it.
While the construction of runway, taxiway and apron would cost around Rs 1,100 crore, the cost of constructing the terminal building, cargo building, car park and face uplift would be around Rs 1,250 crore.
In 2006-07, the existing airport handled 97,680 aircraft movement and its capacity to handle aircraft movement is likely to saturate by 2014-15. The airport's international terminal handled 2.8 million passengers against a capacity of 3 million per year in 2006-07. Similarly, it handled 5.9 million passengers against an annual capacity of 6 million passengers in 2006-07. Both these terminals are likely to be saturated by 2007-08.
Spread over an area of 1,152 acres, the existing Chennai airport has two runways (3,658 metres and 2,032 metres) and handles 25 aircraft movements per hour. While the existing domestic terminal handles 4.73 million passengers per annum, constructing an additional domestic terminal would add a capacity of five million passengers per annum.
Works amounting to Rs 221.89 crore, relating to terminal buildings, parking bays, cargo building and operations block, are currently underway at the existing airport. Once developed, these facilities would cater to a traffic demand up to the year 2010. AAI plans to construct a new domestic terminal, expand the international one, construct Phase III of the integrated cargo building and new parking bays at a cost of Rs 705 crore.
http://www.expresstravelworld.com/200707/aviationworld21.shtml
With AAI likely to construct the new greenfield airport, the Tamil Nadu government's wish to get both the projects executed through AAI has been fulfilled.
"The first phase of development at the existing Chennai airport would be over by 2010 and will cost around Rs 2,350 crore. The additional land required for modernisation would be provided by the Tamil Nadu government," said civil aviation minister Praful Patel.
For the greenfield airport, Patel said 4,821 acres of land had already been identified by the state government and the AAI would now conduct a techno-feasibility study for it.
While the construction of runway, taxiway and apron would cost around Rs 1,100 crore, the cost of constructing the terminal building, cargo building, car park and face uplift would be around Rs 1,250 crore.
In 2006-07, the existing airport handled 97,680 aircraft movement and its capacity to handle aircraft movement is likely to saturate by 2014-15. The airport's international terminal handled 2.8 million passengers against a capacity of 3 million per year in 2006-07. Similarly, it handled 5.9 million passengers against an annual capacity of 6 million passengers in 2006-07. Both these terminals are likely to be saturated by 2007-08.
Spread over an area of 1,152 acres, the existing Chennai airport has two runways (3,658 metres and 2,032 metres) and handles 25 aircraft movements per hour. While the existing domestic terminal handles 4.73 million passengers per annum, constructing an additional domestic terminal would add a capacity of five million passengers per annum.
Works amounting to Rs 221.89 crore, relating to terminal buildings, parking bays, cargo building and operations block, are currently underway at the existing airport. Once developed, these facilities would cater to a traffic demand up to the year 2010. AAI plans to construct a new domestic terminal, expand the international one, construct Phase III of the integrated cargo building and new parking bays at a cost of Rs 705 crore.
http://www.expresstravelworld.com/200707/aviationworld21.shtml
Monday, July 16, 2007
Construction activities frozen in airport expansion areas
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Government has frozen all building activities in the areas where it proposes to acquire land for expansion of the existing Chennai airport and for the construction of a new greenfield airport.
The State Transport Department has issued last week an order directing the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to freeze all construction activities in Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam, all in the outskirts of the city, where 1069.99 acres is proposed to be acquired for the airport expansion project and also the approach areas after getting details from the Airport Authorities of India.
The freeze comes at a time, when the residents of some colonies in Manapakkam, whose houses now face demolition consequent on acquisition proceedings, have are protesting and have even petitioned the government for cancellation of the land acquisition notification.
The government has also directed freezing of construction in the areas falling within Sriperumbudur and Thiruvallur taluks of Kancheepuram district, which are to be acquired for the constrution of the greenfiled airport.
Simultaneously, the government has cancelled the GO issued for acquisition of lands in areas like Pozhichalur and Anakaputhur on the northern side of the existing Chennai airport, where the expansion work had originally been planned to be taken up.
Conseqwuent on this, the freeze on construction activities in these aras have also been revoked.The State Government had originally proposed to hand over more than 800 acres of land in the Pozhichalur-Anakaputhur belt, which had sparked off protracted and vociferous protests from the residents in these areas.
The pitch of the protests had risen higher when political parties like the CPM and PMK also threw their weight behind the residents.In fact there had been a running battle between the PMK and the DMK, with the former even accusing some nfluential persons in the DMK of having vested interest in the proposal.
However, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had defused the situation by convening an all-party meeting on May 22, which opted for expansion of the airport on the souther-western side of the airport and also a greenfield airport near Sriperumbudur.Subsequently, the government had issued notification for the lands to be acquired in these areas.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070716142034&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0
The State Transport Department has issued last week an order directing the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to freeze all construction activities in Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam, all in the outskirts of the city, where 1069.99 acres is proposed to be acquired for the airport expansion project and also the approach areas after getting details from the Airport Authorities of India.
The freeze comes at a time, when the residents of some colonies in Manapakkam, whose houses now face demolition consequent on acquisition proceedings, have are protesting and have even petitioned the government for cancellation of the land acquisition notification.
The government has also directed freezing of construction in the areas falling within Sriperumbudur and Thiruvallur taluks of Kancheepuram district, which are to be acquired for the constrution of the greenfiled airport.
Simultaneously, the government has cancelled the GO issued for acquisition of lands in areas like Pozhichalur and Anakaputhur on the northern side of the existing Chennai airport, where the expansion work had originally been planned to be taken up.
Conseqwuent on this, the freeze on construction activities in these aras have also been revoked.The State Government had originally proposed to hand over more than 800 acres of land in the Pozhichalur-Anakaputhur belt, which had sparked off protracted and vociferous protests from the residents in these areas.
The pitch of the protests had risen higher when political parties like the CPM and PMK also threw their weight behind the residents.In fact there had been a running battle between the PMK and the DMK, with the former even accusing some nfluential persons in the DMK of having vested interest in the proposal.
However, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had defused the situation by convening an all-party meeting on May 22, which opted for expansion of the airport on the souther-western side of the airport and also a greenfield airport near Sriperumbudur.Subsequently, the government had issued notification for the lands to be acquired in these areas.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070716142034&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0
Sunday, July 15, 2007
“We need to expand aviation infrastructure”
What is the progress on Chennai airport’s modernisation after it was recently cleared by the Union Cabinet?
Yes, we have the Cabinet clearance for Chennai. [The] Airports Authority of India is drawing up plans quickly. We want to make it comparable to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore or Hyderabad and we are getting a top international company to give us a master plan and design. It will be a global competition. We will get the best technical expertise. Chennai and Kolkata both will have really world class airports. We will give it as a turnkey project for construction. We will bring in a lot of new things, it will not be a typically AAI airport. We will ask AAI to compete with the private sector and show that they are coming up with an airport as good as may be Bangalore and Hyderabad. And Chennai has to compete with both Bangalore and Hyderabad because both these cities are getting new world class airports. This will have to be a first class facility.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/16/stories/2007071655531300.htm
Yes, we have the Cabinet clearance for Chennai. [The] Airports Authority of India is drawing up plans quickly. We want to make it comparable to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore or Hyderabad and we are getting a top international company to give us a master plan and design. It will be a global competition. We will get the best technical expertise. Chennai and Kolkata both will have really world class airports. We will give it as a turnkey project for construction. We will bring in a lot of new things, it will not be a typically AAI airport. We will ask AAI to compete with the private sector and show that they are coming up with an airport as good as may be Bangalore and Hyderabad. And Chennai has to compete with both Bangalore and Hyderabad because both these cities are getting new world class airports. This will have to be a first class facility.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/16/stories/2007071655531300.htm
Tamil Nadu G.O Dated 09-july-2007
http://www.tn.gov.in/gorders/transport/trans_e_70_2007.htm
Land Acquisition – Kancheepuram District – Acquisition of 583 Hectares of land for the Restructuring and Modernisation of Chennai Airport under the provisions of Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purpose Act, 1997 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes (Amendment) Act of 17 of 2005 – Administrative sanction accorded – Cancelled – Orders issued – Freezing of all building activities for the newly proposed acquisition for expansion of Chennai Airport and formation of Greenfield Airport – Instructions issued .
Transport (I.2) Department
G.O. MS. No.70Date: 09th July 2007
Read:
1. G.O. Ms. No.91, Transport (I2) Department, dated 14/12/2005.
Read Also:
2. Government Letter No.14808/I.2/2004-28, Transport Department, dated 14/12/2005, addressed to Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai-600008.
****
ORDER
An all Legislative Party Leader’s meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister on 22/05/2007, to discuss about the selection of lands for the Modernisation and Expansion of Chennai Airport. As a follow-up action to the above meeting, the orders issued in Government Order first read above according Administrative Sanction for acquisition of 583 Hectares of lands for the Restructuring and Modernisation of Chennai Airport under the provisions of Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purpose Act, 1997 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes (Amendment) Act of 17 of 2005, is cancelled. The instructions issued to the Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai, to freeze all building activities in the above area, in the letter second read above is also withdrawn.
2. Further, as decided in the All Legislative Party Leaders’ Meeting held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister on 22/05/2007, acquisition of 1069.99 Acres of lands is proposed in the villages of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumpudur Taluk, Kancheepuram District, for expansion of Chennai Airport and also acquisition of 4820.66 Acres of lands is proposed for the formation of Greenfield Airport in Sriperumpudur and Thiruvallur Taluks, near Chennai.
3. The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai, is directed to take necessary immediate action to freeze all building activities in the approach area and issue suitable notification in this regard, after getting necessary proposals with full details from the Airports Authority of India.
(By Order of Governor)
DEBENDRANATH SARANGISecretary to Government
To
The Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Land Administration, Chennai-5.
The District Collectors, Kancheepuram / Thiruvallur District.
The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai-8.
The Executive Director (LM), Airports Authority of India, New Delhi.
The Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, Chennai-27.
The Director, Airports Authority of India, New Delhi / Chennai-27.
Copy to:
The Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Chennai-9.
The Secretary, Revenue Department, Chennai-9.
The Secretary, Industries Department, Chennai-9.
The Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Chennai-9.
The Secretary, Finance Department, Chennai-9.
The Senior P.A. to Minister (Transport), Chennai-9.
The Senior P.A. to Minister (Housing), Chennai-9.
The Sr. P.S. to Chief Secretary, Chennai-9.
The Sr. P.S. to Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Chennai-9.
SF/SC
Land Acquisition – Kancheepuram District – Acquisition of 583 Hectares of land for the Restructuring and Modernisation of Chennai Airport under the provisions of Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purpose Act, 1997 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes (Amendment) Act of 17 of 2005 – Administrative sanction accorded – Cancelled – Orders issued – Freezing of all building activities for the newly proposed acquisition for expansion of Chennai Airport and formation of Greenfield Airport – Instructions issued .
Transport (I.2) Department
G.O. MS. No.70Date: 09th July 2007
Read:
1. G.O. Ms. No.91, Transport (I2) Department, dated 14/12/2005.
Read Also:
2. Government Letter No.14808/I.2/2004-28, Transport Department, dated 14/12/2005, addressed to Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai-600008.
****
ORDER
An all Legislative Party Leader’s meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister on 22/05/2007, to discuss about the selection of lands for the Modernisation and Expansion of Chennai Airport. As a follow-up action to the above meeting, the orders issued in Government Order first read above according Administrative Sanction for acquisition of 583 Hectares of lands for the Restructuring and Modernisation of Chennai Airport under the provisions of Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purpose Act, 1997 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes (Amendment) Act of 17 of 2005, is cancelled. The instructions issued to the Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai, to freeze all building activities in the above area, in the letter second read above is also withdrawn.
2. Further, as decided in the All Legislative Party Leaders’ Meeting held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister on 22/05/2007, acquisition of 1069.99 Acres of lands is proposed in the villages of Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumpudur Taluk, Kancheepuram District, for expansion of Chennai Airport and also acquisition of 4820.66 Acres of lands is proposed for the formation of Greenfield Airport in Sriperumpudur and Thiruvallur Taluks, near Chennai.
3. The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai, is directed to take necessary immediate action to freeze all building activities in the approach area and issue suitable notification in this regard, after getting necessary proposals with full details from the Airports Authority of India.
(By Order of Governor)
DEBENDRANATH SARANGISecretary to Government
To
The Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Land Administration, Chennai-5.
The District Collectors, Kancheepuram / Thiruvallur District.
The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Chennai-8.
The Executive Director (LM), Airports Authority of India, New Delhi.
The Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, Chennai-27.
The Director, Airports Authority of India, New Delhi / Chennai-27.
Copy to:
The Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Chennai-9.
The Secretary, Revenue Department, Chennai-9.
The Secretary, Industries Department, Chennai-9.
The Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Chennai-9.
The Secretary, Finance Department, Chennai-9.
The Senior P.A. to Minister (Transport), Chennai-9.
The Senior P.A. to Minister (Housing), Chennai-9.
The Sr. P.S. to Chief Secretary, Chennai-9.
The Sr. P.S. to Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Chennai-9.
SF/SC
Friday, July 13, 2007
Villa owners against land acquisition for greenfield airport
KANCHEEPURAM: As many as 300 private villa owners from Manapakkam village gave a memorandum to the District Collector Pradeep Yadav, registering their opposition against land acquisition for the proposed greenfield airport at Sriperumpudur.
A township of independent villa houses was promoted by a private real estate firm - Macro Marvel - between the 2000 and 2003.In 2006, about 120 more villas were developed as part of the second phase.
Most of the owners of the independent houses are retired defence officials, retired professors, doctors and other professionals.They complain that the project was marketed showcasing the sylvan surroundings of the village as ideal for retired persons.
Further, the CMDA had assured those who bought in the second phase that the area did not come under the proposed Green Field Airport.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20070711233322&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0
A township of independent villa houses was promoted by a private real estate firm - Macro Marvel - between the 2000 and 2003.In 2006, about 120 more villas were developed as part of the second phase.
Most of the owners of the independent houses are retired defence officials, retired professors, doctors and other professionals.They complain that the project was marketed showcasing the sylvan surroundings of the village as ideal for retired persons.
Further, the CMDA had assured those who bought in the second phase that the area did not come under the proposed Green Field Airport.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20070711233322&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+%2D+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0
Meenambakkam not waiting for land acquisition
E VEN as the district administration is yet to finalise details of land acquisition for expansion of Chennai airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is going ahead with modernisation and augmentation of passenger and aircraft facilities at the airport at a faster pace.
Already the airport has completed construction of 20 parking bays for aircraft. An exclusive parking bay has also been created to receive Airbus 380 and runways and taxi tracks are being strengthened.
According to Dinesh Kumar, airport director, the parking bays were completed and improved facilities were being added from time to time.
A mega plan has been drawn up for modernisation of international terminal. This will provide an additional 12,000 square feet of space for international passenger handling, Dinesh Kumar said.
The new arrivals terminal has been readied by renovating a portion of the existing one at Anna International Terminal. Anna terminal handles 17 international operators and one more has started operating with Tiger Airlines starting flights to Singapore.
The same pattern of development will be followed at the domestic side also. Around 800 square feet area has been added when the opening of departure II to service four airlines.
According to AAI statistics the airport handled 89,74,126 passengers between April 2006 and March 2007, a whopping 32 percent increase when compared to the figures for the corresponding period last year.
There were 99,775 aircraft movement from April 2006 to March 2007, which is a 44.7 percent increase when compared to the previous years. The average aircraft movement per year is 75,000, second only to Bangalore which registers 84,000 aircraft movement per year.
E VEN as the district administra- tion is yet to finalise details of land acquisition for expansion of Chennai airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is going ahead with modernisation and augmenta- tion of passenger and aircraft facilities at the airport at a faster pace.
Already the airport has completed construction of 20 parking bays for air- craft. An exclusive parking bay has also been created to receive Airbus 380 and runways and taxi tracks are being strengthened. According to Dinesh Kumar, airport director, the parking bays were com- pleted and improved facilities were being added from time to time. A mega plan has been drawn up for modernisation of international termi- nal. This will provide an additional 12,000 square feet of space for interna- tional passenger handling, Dinesh Kumar said.
The new arrivals terminal has been readied by renovating a portion of the existing one at Anna International Terminal. Anna terminal handles 17 international operators and one more has started operating with Tiger Airlines starting flights to Singapore. The same pattern of development will be followed at the domestic side also. Around 800 square feet area has been added when the opening of depar- ture II to service four airlines. According to AAI statistics the airport handled 89,74,126 passengers between April 2006 and March 2007, a whopping 32 percent increase when compared to the figures for the corresponding period last year. There were 99,775 aircraft movement from April 2006 to March 2007, which is a 44.7 percent increase when compared to the previous years.
The average air- craft movement per year is 75,000, sec- ond only to Bangalore which registers 84,000 aircraft movement per year.
http://epaper.newindpress.com/Default.aspx?selpg=675&selDt=07/11/2007&BMode=100
Already the airport has completed construction of 20 parking bays for aircraft. An exclusive parking bay has also been created to receive Airbus 380 and runways and taxi tracks are being strengthened.
According to Dinesh Kumar, airport director, the parking bays were completed and improved facilities were being added from time to time.
A mega plan has been drawn up for modernisation of international terminal. This will provide an additional 12,000 square feet of space for international passenger handling, Dinesh Kumar said.
The new arrivals terminal has been readied by renovating a portion of the existing one at Anna International Terminal. Anna terminal handles 17 international operators and one more has started operating with Tiger Airlines starting flights to Singapore.
The same pattern of development will be followed at the domestic side also. Around 800 square feet area has been added when the opening of departure II to service four airlines.
According to AAI statistics the airport handled 89,74,126 passengers between April 2006 and March 2007, a whopping 32 percent increase when compared to the figures for the corresponding period last year.
There were 99,775 aircraft movement from April 2006 to March 2007, which is a 44.7 percent increase when compared to the previous years. The average aircraft movement per year is 75,000, second only to Bangalore which registers 84,000 aircraft movement per year.
E VEN as the district administra- tion is yet to finalise details of land acquisition for expansion of Chennai airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is going ahead with modernisation and augmenta- tion of passenger and aircraft facilities at the airport at a faster pace.
Already the airport has completed construction of 20 parking bays for air- craft. An exclusive parking bay has also been created to receive Airbus 380 and runways and taxi tracks are being strengthened. According to Dinesh Kumar, airport director, the parking bays were com- pleted and improved facilities were being added from time to time. A mega plan has been drawn up for modernisation of international termi- nal. This will provide an additional 12,000 square feet of space for interna- tional passenger handling, Dinesh Kumar said.
The new arrivals terminal has been readied by renovating a portion of the existing one at Anna International Terminal. Anna terminal handles 17 international operators and one more has started operating with Tiger Airlines starting flights to Singapore. The same pattern of development will be followed at the domestic side also. Around 800 square feet area has been added when the opening of depar- ture II to service four airlines. According to AAI statistics the airport handled 89,74,126 passengers between April 2006 and March 2007, a whopping 32 percent increase when compared to the figures for the corresponding period last year. There were 99,775 aircraft movement from April 2006 to March 2007, which is a 44.7 percent increase when compared to the previous years.
The average air- craft movement per year is 75,000, sec- ond only to Bangalore which registers 84,000 aircraft movement per year.
http://epaper.newindpress.com/Default.aspx?selpg=675&selDt=07/11/2007&BMode=100
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Residents air grievances over airport expansion project
Manapakkam people want their houses to be saved
MLA says efforts are on to mitigate their agony
KANCHEEPURAM: A group of people, accompanied by Sriperumpudur MLA D.Yasodha, made a representation to Collector Pradeep Yadav on Wednesday, asking him to take measures to ensure that their dwelling units at Manapakkam were not disturbed while implementing the Chennai airport expansion project.
They pointed out that several of them, who have retired from defence, civil, professional and other government services, had invested their hard-earned money in the housing project which was promoted by a Kilpauk-based real estate company during 2003-04.
The residents urged the Collector to suggest some modifications in the expansion project proposed by the Airports Authority of India.
They wanted their dwelling units, constructed at a cost of Rs.15 lakh to Rs.30 lakh, to be saved from demolition.
“Runway may be unused”
They said that the NAAI had rejected thrice the suggestion to acquire lands from Manapakkam, Tharapakkam, Kolapakkam and Gerugembakkam for the project on the ground that the soil condition was not suitable.
But they wondered how the Airports Authority of India had given its consent now.
The runway to be laid in the area to be acquired after demolishing a part of their township was not going to be used for landing of flights.
The residents said enquiries, made by them with officials concerned, had revealed that the proposed extension of runway would remain unused, once greenfield airport came up near Sriperumpudur.
Technical alterations
Since the expansion project was going to be a temporary add-on facility for the infrastructure at the Chennai airport, they pleaded that suitable technical alterations in the runway sketch be considered.
Another 100-odd families have booked their individual villas, each costing around Rs.50 lakh to Rs.65 lakh, with the same promoter, who had obtained clearance for the second phase of the housing project in the same area from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in March 2006, the people said.
The CMDA, in its letter, had said the proposed site for the second phase of housing project was “not affected as per the latest list”.
But the entire second-phase area had now been notified for land acquisition for the airport expansion project, they lamented.
Lands identified
Talking to reporters later, Ms. Yasodha said efforts had been made to mitigate the mental agony of the residents of Manapakkam township and that the Government had now identified suitable lands at Manapakkam itself instead of relocating the people to Manimangalam.
Assurance
Meanwhile, enquiries reveal that the District Collector had assured that necessary steps would be initiated to redress the residents’ grievances.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/12/stories/2007071260070500.htm
MLA says efforts are on to mitigate their agony
KANCHEEPURAM: A group of people, accompanied by Sriperumpudur MLA D.Yasodha, made a representation to Collector Pradeep Yadav on Wednesday, asking him to take measures to ensure that their dwelling units at Manapakkam were not disturbed while implementing the Chennai airport expansion project.
They pointed out that several of them, who have retired from defence, civil, professional and other government services, had invested their hard-earned money in the housing project which was promoted by a Kilpauk-based real estate company during 2003-04.
The residents urged the Collector to suggest some modifications in the expansion project proposed by the Airports Authority of India.
They wanted their dwelling units, constructed at a cost of Rs.15 lakh to Rs.30 lakh, to be saved from demolition.
“Runway may be unused”
They said that the NAAI had rejected thrice the suggestion to acquire lands from Manapakkam, Tharapakkam, Kolapakkam and Gerugembakkam for the project on the ground that the soil condition was not suitable.
But they wondered how the Airports Authority of India had given its consent now.
The runway to be laid in the area to be acquired after demolishing a part of their township was not going to be used for landing of flights.
The residents said enquiries, made by them with officials concerned, had revealed that the proposed extension of runway would remain unused, once greenfield airport came up near Sriperumpudur.
Technical alterations
Since the expansion project was going to be a temporary add-on facility for the infrastructure at the Chennai airport, they pleaded that suitable technical alterations in the runway sketch be considered.
Another 100-odd families have booked their individual villas, each costing around Rs.50 lakh to Rs.65 lakh, with the same promoter, who had obtained clearance for the second phase of the housing project in the same area from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in March 2006, the people said.
The CMDA, in its letter, had said the proposed site for the second phase of housing project was “not affected as per the latest list”.
But the entire second-phase area had now been notified for land acquisition for the airport expansion project, they lamented.
Lands identified
Talking to reporters later, Ms. Yasodha said efforts had been made to mitigate the mental agony of the residents of Manapakkam township and that the Government had now identified suitable lands at Manapakkam itself instead of relocating the people to Manimangalam.
Assurance
Meanwhile, enquiries reveal that the District Collector had assured that necessary steps would be initiated to redress the residents’ grievances.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/12/stories/2007071260070500.htm
Two sites in focus for greenfield airport
CHENNAI: Two sites near Chennai are under the active consideration of the State Government for the greenfield airport, according to an official source.
Alamadi village, north of Chennai, and Sunguvarchattram near Sriperumbudur are the two sites for the new airport. Alamadi village is about 8 km from Red Hills and 30 km northwest of Chennai. One of the reasons for considering this location for the project is the site’s proximity to the proposed Outer Ring Road. In the case of Sunguvarchattram, it is close to the Chennai–Bangalore highway.
The other important criterion for considering these two sites for evaluation is the presence of large tracts of government land.
According to the source, the Government is keen to avoid acquisition problems. Other places in and around Sriperumbudur are fraught with acquisition issues since most of them are patta lands.
Alamadi village, north of Chennai, and Sunguvarchattram near Sriperumbudur are the two sites for the new airport. Alamadi village is about 8 km from Red Hills and 30 km northwest of Chennai. One of the reasons for considering this location for the project is the site’s proximity to the proposed Outer Ring Road. In the case of Sunguvarchattram, it is close to the Chennai–Bangalore highway.
The other important criterion for considering these two sites for evaluation is the presence of large tracts of government land.
According to the source, the Government is keen to avoid acquisition problems. Other places in and around Sriperumbudur are fraught with acquisition issues since most of them are patta lands.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Message in Hindu
He said the government was firm in its stand that the expansion and modernisation of Chennai Airport should not be given to the private sector.
Click here for full news:
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200706160921.htm
Click here for full news:
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200706160921.htm
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Mesage in Hindustan Times
The Ministry of Civil Aviation shouldn’t have have any problems in giving the nod to the techno-economic feasibility study report prepared by the Uttar Pradesh government for setting up Delhi’s second international greenfield airport at Greater Noida.
The proposed airport project spread across 1,500 hectares would cost over Rs. 3,500 crore and will hopefully put two other second-airport projects — the Rs 9,000-crore Navi Mumbai airport project, and Chennai’s greenfield airport in Sriperumbudur — on a fast track.
This couldn’t have come sooner as recent studies show that Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Amritsar will each need another airport in the next ten years. Most metros will reach saturation point by 2010, while others will become saturated by 2015.
Thus when the two greenfield airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad become operational next year, they will apparently be just in time to ease the load on the existing airports. It appears that Kolkata airport, too, needs a second airport by 2010, never mind the cosmetic changes being made by the Airports Authority of India to modernise it.
It is ironic that the spurt in domestic aviation reveals such a complete lack of planning by civil aviation authorities to offer an appropriate response. This is most evident in the limited infrastructure at airports — the biggest hurdle before the growth of the industry — that compel aircraft to take, on average, seven times longer to take off than elsewhere in the world. Many airports have limited landing and parking slots during peak hours, and overcrowded terminals where passengers struggle to wade through check-in and security screening. Limited manpower and under-utilisation of available equipment make matters worse.
Therefore, till the new airports become operational, authorities should focus on sprucing up the existing ones. Even simple methods like using chemicals to remove rubber deposits (from wheels during touchdown) on runways, and strengthening pavements of the taxiways and the apron to avoid frequent maintenance, could go a long way in augmenting the existing infrastructure.
Link:http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=2c40dc20-f039-4563-a3a2-66d3b97d8d58&&Headline=Not+off+the+ground
The proposed airport project spread across 1,500 hectares would cost over Rs. 3,500 crore and will hopefully put two other second-airport projects — the Rs 9,000-crore Navi Mumbai airport project, and Chennai’s greenfield airport in Sriperumbudur — on a fast track.
This couldn’t have come sooner as recent studies show that Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Amritsar will each need another airport in the next ten years. Most metros will reach saturation point by 2010, while others will become saturated by 2015.
Thus when the two greenfield airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad become operational next year, they will apparently be just in time to ease the load on the existing airports. It appears that Kolkata airport, too, needs a second airport by 2010, never mind the cosmetic changes being made by the Airports Authority of India to modernise it.
It is ironic that the spurt in domestic aviation reveals such a complete lack of planning by civil aviation authorities to offer an appropriate response. This is most evident in the limited infrastructure at airports — the biggest hurdle before the growth of the industry — that compel aircraft to take, on average, seven times longer to take off than elsewhere in the world. Many airports have limited landing and parking slots during peak hours, and overcrowded terminals where passengers struggle to wade through check-in and security screening. Limited manpower and under-utilisation of available equipment make matters worse.
Therefore, till the new airports become operational, authorities should focus on sprucing up the existing ones. Even simple methods like using chemicals to remove rubber deposits (from wheels during touchdown) on runways, and strengthening pavements of the taxiways and the apron to avoid frequent maintenance, could go a long way in augmenting the existing infrastructure.
Link:http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=2c40dc20-f039-4563-a3a2-66d3b97d8d58&&Headline=Not+off+the+ground
Message in NDTV
Paintings by Chennai airport director Dinesh Kumar are attracting art lovers. Many say art creations of this high flying officer inspire them to aim high.
With the Cabinet having cleared the proposal to expand the Chennai airport and construct another greenfield airport you would probably imagine that Kumar would be grounded with work.
On the other hand the official has been able to balance his passion with profession.''If you have the interest in art, you will get time for that. That's what I have done. When others would pass time in a different way I have tried to use it for art,'' said Dinesh Kumar.There were mainly government and airline officials who turned up at the exhibition.''It inspires to think that there is no limit and you can go on and on,'' said a woman visitor.
While the Chennai airport expansion plan is likely to see more protests, the airport director may have to be prepared for more showdowns rather than his one-man show.
Link:http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070016954&ch=6/28/2007%2012:53:00%20PM
With the Cabinet having cleared the proposal to expand the Chennai airport and construct another greenfield airport you would probably imagine that Kumar would be grounded with work.
On the other hand the official has been able to balance his passion with profession.''If you have the interest in art, you will get time for that. That's what I have done. When others would pass time in a different way I have tried to use it for art,'' said Dinesh Kumar.There were mainly government and airline officials who turned up at the exhibition.''It inspires to think that there is no limit and you can go on and on,'' said a woman visitor.
While the Chennai airport expansion plan is likely to see more protests, the airport director may have to be prepared for more showdowns rather than his one-man show.
Link:http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070016954&ch=6/28/2007%2012:53:00%20PM
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