In a significant development, the Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted two sites for Chennai’s second airport and has asked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to conduct a pre-feasibility study. The move comes nearly a week after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced that the State government will drop the greenfield airport project planned at Parandur and will look for alternative sites. 

The Hindu was the first to report that two sites—Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi—are the top contenders for the project. It is now learnt that the State government has asked AAI to study Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district and Manellore, near Gummidipoondi, in Tiruvallur district. Sources said that a final decision will be taken after the AAI gives its recommendation in the pre-feasibility report.

A team from Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has already completed the first round of inspections for both the sites.

Sources said the Cheyyur site is about 40 km from the Puducherry airport and nearly 35 km from Kalpakkam. It is also nearly 100 km from the existing airport at Meenambakkam. The Manellore site is about 50 km from the city and 35 km from Sriharikota.

Sources said that even if AAI recommend one of the two sites, there could be some difficulty in getting the remaining approvals from various regulatory bodies, given the location of both sites. “While there is possibility for Cheyyur, provided the Ministry of Defence gives clearance, since the Indian Air Force, Tambaram, controls the airspace in the region. But Manellore in Gummidipoondi has some challenges,” a source said.

As the next step, a team of AAI officials will visit both sites and carry out an inspection, after which the report will be drafted. It is expected that AAI will submit the report in a few months. “The State government wants to start the process on the second airport soon. It will help if AAI speeds up and gives the report at the earliest,” another source said. 

But another source pointed out that even if the State government wants to build the second airport soon, it may have to wait for a minimum of 5-7 years to make this project a reality.

In a bid to bring some relief for air passengers, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has modified the cab pick-up arrangement at Chennai airport, allowing passengers to board at the ground floor of the multi-level car parking facility.

Until now, air passengers who arrive at Chennai airport had to walk or take a buggy vehicle to reach the multi-level car parking facility. After reaching the building, they have to use the elevator to reach the second floor of the building to board their cabs.

Such a circuitous arrangement to board a cab drew severe criticism from passengers, and they have been voicing their displeasure consistently over many months now.

While AAI planned to open an alternative cab pick-up point opposite to the T1 domestic terminal (in a renovated covered area called ‘plaza’), this proposal has still not taken off. After more than a year’s delay in the completion of the construction, the plaza has been ready since January, but hasn’t been opened due to legal hurdles.

Officials of AAI said that the approval to open this facility is expected to come within two weeks, after which the second cab pick-up point will be available at the plaza for passengers. “Meanwhile, till the approval comes, we want to ease the process of boarding cabs and create this arrangement. Instead of going to the second floor to take a taxi, they can now board from the ground floor,” an official said. There are staff present to direct passengers and help them board cabs as well.

Air passengers said they are glad they no longer need to endure the tiring process anymore to board the cabs, but AAI cannot keep delaying the opening of the plaza.

Ram K., a frequent flyer said, “After getting off the buggy vehicle, I have waited for quite some time to get into the elevator. Though there are a couple of elevators available, the problem is, each one can accommodate only a handful of passengers with large baggage. So, I have ended up waiting for a long time to get into the elevator and reach the second floor. I’m relieved I no longer have to go through this hassle. But I’m also alarmed at the delay in the opening of the second pick-up point. How long can the authorities keep a ready facility without opening it?”