Chennai runway extension yet to get ministry nod

Chennai: The state government is all set to hand over land for extension of the secondary runway at Chennai airport, but Airports Authority of India (AAI) is still awaiting the mandatory environment clearance from the union government.
The government has decided to hand over 130 acres by this month-end for extending the existing secondary runway by 1,400 metres.
The AAI is also planning to kickstart preparatory work for the construction by the first week of next month.
However, there is still no sign of clearance from the union ministry of environment though the state revenue department and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) held a public hearing last month and sent a report of the proceedings to the ministry.
"We are yet to receive environment clearance for the project which will help enhance aircraft handling capacity of the airport," airport director Dinesh Kumar said.
Meanwhile, the state government is ready to transfer the land to AAI as per schedule. "We will be handing over 130 acres acquired for the extension of the secondary runway by the end of this month," transport secretary Debendranath Sarangi said.
22/07/08 V Ayyappan/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jul 2008