Second airport proposal for Chennai gaining momentum

Second airport proposal for Chennai gaining momentum
A. Srivathsan and P.Oppili

State government renews interest in Sriperumbudur project

CHENNAI: The proposal for a greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur is gaining momentum following Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman V.P. Agrawal’s announcement putting on hold the construction of a parallel runway at the Chennai airport.

The State government has started showing renewed interest in building a new airport near Sriperumbudur.

An earlier proposal by the State government had identified nearly 4,500 acres, spread over 42 villages in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, for the second airport. Villages identified
Government sources say Kiloy, Siru Kiloy, Mambakkam and Vadamangalam in the

Sriperumbudur block in Kancheepuram district and Thiruppandhiyur, Kottaiyur and Vayalur in the Kadambathur block in Tiruvallur district are some of the villages identified for acquiring land for the project.

The AAI Chairman had also pointed out that according to an internal study taken up by them, Sriperumbudur was an ideal location for a second airport.The State government was thinking on the same lines, which would fulfil the need for a bigger airport for Chennai.

Kancheepuram district Revenue officials are preparing a detailed project report for acquiring 40 acres for the secondary runway expansion project. This would be contiguous to the already acquired 129 acres, which had been handed over to the AAI.

The additional area would be used for constructing perimeter fencing and lighting around that area, say Revenue officials. The acquisition process is expected to begin in about three months, the Revenue officials add.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/31/stories/2009073160850500.htm