Calls grow to speed up Tiruchi airport runway expansion

Calls are intensifying for the early execution of the proposed expansion of Tiruchi International Airport runway from 8,000 feet to 12,500 feet at a cost of ₹350 crore. More than 90% of the land sought has already been acquired and handed over to the AAI by the State government.

In a representation to Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko said 487 acres had been acquired and “enter upon permission” had been issued to the AAI. He said another 7.67 acres would be handed over shortly and argued that the project was ready for immediate implementation.

Mr. Durai Vaiko also said diverting the Uyyakondan canal was not technically feasible and that the runway should cross the canal without affecting its natural flow, as stipulated in the State government’s no-objection certificate. In a separate request, he asked for two parcels of land to be withdrawn from acquisition, citing public opposition over residential displacement and the presence of the Pachanachi Amman Temple.