With Hosur, Salem and Neyveli covered in the first phase of the Central government’s scheme — UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) — that promotes regional air connectivity, residents of Vellore are waiting for their turn to get an airport. However, there is good news as sources say that an airport will definitely be established at Abdullapuram and initial works have taken off.
An airport has been a long-felt need for Vellore residents. Home to Christian Medical College (CMC), VIT University, Golden Temple and numerous leather industries, the district has frequent fliers, who have been going all the way to the airports in Chennai and Bengaluru to catch flights.
In fact, it was an inspection by senior officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at the airstrip at Abdullapuram last December that brought a ray of hope for Vellore residents.
The officials, who flew in a six-seater private flight, inspected the airstrip to test the landing and also studied the infrastructure needs to start commercial operations. An official had then said that the aim was to start commercial flight services and take Vellore into the aviation sector.
‘Soil samples collected’
Now, sources said that preliminary works are under way. “It is definitely happening, and it might take some time. Paper work is going on. In fact, recently, soil samples were lifted for testing, and measurement for constructing building has been done,” a source said.
He added that while the first phase of UDAN covers Neyveli, Hosur and Salem, Vellore might be covered in the second phase. “Government land is already available here. The land at Abdullapuram is 50 acres, while the runway is 750 metres long,” he said.
For frequent fliers like John Roshan, professor at CMC, Vellore, starting commercial services from Vellore will definitely be a boon. “On any given day, at least four doctors from CMC will be travelling to Chennai airport to take a flight. There are frequent fliers from CMC. I, for instance, travel to Bengaluru airport to take a flight. We definitely need an airport in Vellore,” he said.
He added that CMC receives several patients from West Bengal, north east States, Odisha and Bihar, and they have to fly till Chennai, and then travel to Vellore. Travelling will be made easy if there are direct flights to Vellore. Several persons visiting the Golden Temple at Sripuram will also benefit, residents noted.
For the leather sector too, an airport has been a long-pending demand. An Ambur-based tanner said introducing connecting flights would be helpful for industrialists, who are frequent fliers.
“In fact, it will be of great help if cargo services are introduced. As of now, Chennai airport is congested and there is delay. Leather industries in Vellore will benefit if cargo services are brought in,” he added.
