Bringing forth connectivity: Industries Minister TRB Rajaa says Salem airport needs additional regular services to Chennai and Madurai to meet growing passenger demand. | Photo credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Tamil Nadu’s industrial and economic growth in the last four years calls for a much larger and faster expansion of airport infrastructure, Industries Minister TRB Rajaa said.
“Passenger traffic is surging, new industrial clusters are emerging across the state with a boom in distributed growth, yet several completed or near-ready airports – from Vellore and Neyveli to Salem and Thanjavur – are awaiting timely operational clearance,” he told The Hindu in a recent interaction with reporters.
“We are developing big greenfield airports at Parandur and Hosur, but the reality is simple: A state of our size needs many more functional airports and we urge the Union Government to match Tamil Nadu’s pace so that connectivity does not become a hindrance to growth,” Mr. Rajaa said.
DPR completed
The government has started the construction of the Parandur Greenfield International Airport near Chennai to handle the growing passenger and cargo traffic in the region. The detailed project report was completed and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) cleared the construction site on 1 August 2024. Subsequently, the MoCA gave the in-principle approval on 7 April 2025. Land acquisition is currently underway. For the Hosur Greenfield Airport, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) conducted preliminary feasibility studies and identified five potential sites which were inspected by Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials in September 2024. Based on their observations, two sites were shortlisted for detailed analysis. The AAI submitted its preliminary feasibility report on 3 April 2025 and the site in Hosur-Shoolagiri taluk was finalized as the most suitable. On November 7, 2025, an application for a site permit was submitted to the Ministry of the Interior.
According to the minister, Salem airport particularly requires additional regular services to Chennai and Madurai to meet the growing passenger demand and improve regional connectivity.
Land handed over
The infrastructure at the Vellore RCS airport has been completed and the required land has been handed over to AAI long back. Security and fire personnel have been trained by the state government and are ready for deployment. “Despite being prepared, flight operations have been unduly delayed,” Mr Rajaa said. Neyveli RCS Airport also has its infrastructure; flight operations have not yet started. The state government is urging AAI to start operations immediately to improve 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 direct access road from the National Highway and approved the acquisition in principle. Since the approach road already exists, further acquisition can proceed once AAI completes the development plan.
Places identified in Ramanathapuram
The state government has proposed to build an airport on a greenfield site in Ramanathapuram. Two potential sites were identified and AAI was asked to conduct feasibility studies. After the completion of the site, the state government will initiate steps to progress the project.
Published – 16 Nov 2025 21:08 IST
