The entry and exit portion of the 430-metre ramp of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is to be partially demolished to provide hassle-free connectivity to the National Highway 66 bypass that is being widened.
A consensus on this was reached on Friday between the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at the meeting convened by Chief Secretary S.M. Vijayanand here.
The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) has suggested four alternatives as tasked by the government after the AAI rejected the design mooted by the NHAI.
The NHAI and the AAI agreed on the option that offers connectivity to the Kazhakuttam-Karode bypass at a down gradient of six per cent. Airport-bound vehicles from Chakka and Eenchakkal will be regulated using traffic signals. Free left movement for vehicles to enter and exit the airport will be given from Eenchakkal and Chakka to the main road as well as the service road.
Median opening within two km, partial demolition of ramp, six per cent gradient for ramp, increase in cost as six lane NH has to be constructed and signalised intersections are the disadvantages.
Sources told The Hindu that the decision was to be endorsed at a high-level meeting to be convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the capital on July 18 to expedite land acquisition for the airport in the capital.
