Ramanathapuram and Vellore may be covered under the next phase of the implementation of the Regional Air Connectivity Scheme, also known as Udan, in the State.
The subject figured at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday.
A total of 13 airports have been identified for the scheme. In the initial phase, promoters have been found for Neyveli, Salem and Hosur. The scheme is aimed at providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the State through revival of existing airstrips and airports.
Each of the 13 airports would be provided conditional subsidy to ensure that at least 50% of seats in a flight are sold at ₹ 2,500 each.
The Chief Minister laid out a clear road map for the completion of land acquisition to expand airports in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi and Thoothukudi so that more wide-bodied aircraft could be handled. Details of each airport were reviewed and it was decided to “fast track and streamline” the process, an official said.
Greenfield airport
As for the finalisation of the site for a greenfield airport near Chennai, the official quipped that “it is where it was.” Hinting that the meeting did not touch upon the issue, the official added that “right now, we are trying to strengthen the existing airport so that it handles 40 million passengers which will be up to 2030.”
Among those who took part in the meeting were Local Administration Minister S.P. Velumani, Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Chaubey, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and Airports Authority of India Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra.
