Chennai airport could be developed across the Adyar River to manage 50 to 60 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and a master plan will be prepared for this within six months, told airport director, Dr. Sharad Kumar.
The airport will allow it to manage 35 million
The airport is looking to hire a consultant to prepare the master plan for the next 50 years. “Airport expansion will happen parallelly, along with the proposed second airport,” he told. “Modernisation of the Modernisation of the airport will allow it to manage 35 million
It will be expanded later to manage 50 to 60 million passengers,” the director said. “We will build terminals and cargo complexes. We should have the handling capacity before need peaks.”
India’s busiest airports
Sources told the State government is clear that even if the city gets a new airport, the old one will function so investments are not wasted. Despite being one of India’s busiest airports, the Chennai airport, which is spread across 1,317 acres, is one of the smallest major airports in the country. The airport has two runways — the main one parallel to GST Road and the other one running perpendicular to it.
A portion of the secondary runway, built over the Adyar River flood basin, triggered protests after the 2015 floods in Chennai. An inspection report submitted by a panel appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) told the Airports Authority of India did not violate any law in constructing the runway bridge across the river.
The panel was constituted after a petition was filed by Marvel River View County Owners Association stating that the original river width in the area was 130 meters and the bridge was 200 meters long. IIT-Madras experts also said the bridge piers will not have any noticeable impact on the river’s floodwater-carrying capacity.
Interestingly, the secondary runway was put to use simultaneously along with the primary runway before the Covid-19 pandemic. “During Covid, we did not use it. We are preparing to operate it in the next couple of months once air traffic boosts,” Dr. Kumar told. “There will be simultaneous departures from both the runways, but coming will be permitted only on the main runway,” he told.
The state government is planning to build a second airport
The decision to expand the airport arrives at a time when the State government is preparing to make a second airport for Chennai and had zeroed in on four sites — Parandur, Pannur, Thiruporur, and Padam. The Centre has shortlisted Parandur and Pannur and sent back the file to the State.
Also, read
- After 3 unsuccessful bids, Management sells its stake in Pawan Hans to the private consortium
- Malaysia Airlines starts first passenger flight operating SAF
- Boeing and AIESL announce partnership for the maintenance of B777 aircraft used by VVIPs
The two sites are less than 30km away from Sriperumbudur and Sunguvarchatiram. The State is yet to choose the site for the second airport.
According to authorities, Chennai airport would soon get a new multi-level car parking (MLCP) and Rs 2,000-crore integrated terminal. “The trial run of the West MLCP facility will start by end of this month. The trial run of the East MLCP will start next month after getting fire services and environmental clearance for ‘Consent to Operate’,” Dr. Kumar told.
The new terminal is expected to be prepared by August and may be put to operate by October. “We will inaugurate it by August and will moot steps to integrate it with other terminal buildings. Multiple stakeholders, including airlines, are there. Everybody has to be on board,” he told.
Meanwhile, domestic passenger traffic in the airport has almost reached pre-Covid levels, forcing authorities to work additional taxiways. “Car parking ability has been boosted from 1,200 to 2,100. We are increasing capacity at all levels so that the airport is equipped to support increasing needs over the next 10 to 15 years,” Dr. Kumar told.
Thank you
Stay updated with Aviationa2z.com
Join our Telegram group for the latest updates
