Chennai Airport expansion work finally takes off

Chennai: The Rs 1,808 crore expansion project of the Chennai Airport will enable the airport handle increased volume of passengers as Tamil Nadu is turning out to be a favoured investment destination for various industries. Chief Minister M Karunanidhi formally inaugurated the project, after overcoming public opposition and legal hurdles, under which a new domestic terminal and a 2,500 feet parallel runway among various other works would be taken up.
According to M Ramalingam, Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), with the parallel runway the airport could handle 45 flights per hour as against the existing 30 flights.
The expansion project, one of the pet projects of Karunanidhi, at one time faced the danger of being grounded following stiff opposition from residents of Pammal, Pozhichalur, Anakaputhur and Cowl Bazaar localities near the airport for the proposal to acquire lands in their areas.
Political parties, including DMK's then allies, the PMK and Left parties, as well as the Opposition AIADMK and BJP, extended their support to the agitating people.The residents contended that about 25,000 people would be displaced by the land acquisition, with 583 hectares of the total 2,000 acres required for the expansion falling under these residential areas.
26/10/08 PTI/Economic Times

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Oct 2008