Tamil Nadu pushes for faster expansion of airports to match its economic surge

Tamil Nadu’s industrial and economic surge in the past four years requires a far larger and more rapid expansion of airport infrastructure, according to Minister for Industries T.R.B. Rajaa.

“Passenger traffic is rising sharply, new industrial clusters are coming up across the State with a boom in distributed growth, and yet several completed or near-ready airports — from Vellore and Neyveli to Salem and Thanjavur — are waiting for timely operational clearance,” he said at a recent interaction with journalists of The Hindu.

“We are developing major greenfield airports at Parandur and Hosur, but the reality is simple: a State of our scale needs many more functional airports, and we urge the Union government to match Tamil Nadu’s pace so that connectivity does not become a bottleneck for growth,” Mr. Rajaa said.

DPR completed

The government has initiated the development of the Parandur Greenfield International Airport near Chennai to address the region’s rising passenger and cargo traffic. The Detailed Project Report has been completed, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) granted site clearance on August 1, 2024. Subsequently, the  MoCA provided in-principle approval on April 7, 2025. Land acquisition is under way. As for the Hosur Greenfield Airport, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) has conducted pre-feasibility studies and identified five potential sites, which were inspected by officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in September 2024. Based on their observations, two sites were shortlisted for a detailed analysis. The AAI submitted its pre-feasibility report on April 3, 2025, and the site in Hosur-Shoolagiri taluk was finalised as the most suitable. A site clearance application was submitted to the MoCA on November 7, 2025.

According to the Minister, the Salem airport, in particular, requires additional scheduled services to Chennai and Madurai to meet the rising passenger demand and enhance regional connectivity.

Land handed over

The infrastructure at the Vellore RCS Airport has been completed, and the required land was handed over to the AAI long ago. Security and fire personnel have been trained by the State government, and they are ready for deployment. “Despite readiness, flight operations have been inordinately delayed,” Mr. Rajaa said. The Neyveli RCS Airport has its infrastructure in place too; yet, flight operations have not begun. The State government urges the AAI to commence operations immediately to enhance regional accessibility, Mr. Rajaa said.

For the Thanjavur Civil Enclave (at the Indian Air Force base), the State has identified the land required for laying a straight approach road from the National Highway and given in-principle approval for acquisition. Since an approach road already exists, further acquisition may proceed once the AAI finalises the development plan.

Sites identified in Ramanathapuram

The State government has proposed to develop a greenfield airport in Ramanathapuram. Two potential sites have been identified, and the AAI has been requested to conduct feasibility studies. Upon site finalisation, the State government will initiate steps to advance the project.