The initiative to develop Coimbatore Airport began with the DMK government’s announcement of a land acquisition plan covering 635.33 acres back in 2010. Subsequently, under the renewed tenure of the DMK government, efforts to acquire land accelerated, with a substantial fund allocation of ₹2,600 crore earmarked for this purpose. Presently, only a mere 14 acres of land remain uncultivated.
However, the Tamil Nadu government has set forth specific conditions for transferring the acquired lands to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the expansion project. Notably, the terms stipulated by the government differ if the land is transferred to a private entity instead.
Despite the majority of the land being acquired, AAI is yet to make a final decision regarding acceptance of the conditions laid out by the Tamil Nadu government. Consequently, this indecision has resulted in delays in executing the expansion project.
According to officials, the conditions imposed by the Tamil Nadu government for land transfer are unparalleled in comparison to other states, especially considering the involvement of private entities in managing certain airports across India. Therefore, careful consideration is being given to the Tamil Nadu government’s terms.
Nandakumar and Satish, Directors of the Kongu Global Forum (KGF), emphasize the urgency of expediting the Coimbatore Airport expansion project, not only for the city’s advancement but also for the broader development of the Kongu region. They urge both the central and state governments to swiftly reach a consensus. They anticipate a significant increase in passenger traffic at Coimbatore Airport, potentially reaching 7.5 million, with enhancements to runway length, infrastructure, and flight services.
Voices from among air passengers echo concerns regarding the disparity in fund allocation for airport development across different regions. While acknowledging the substantial allocation of ₹2,600 crore for Coimbatore Airport, they highlight the comparatively lesser amounts allocated for projects in Thoothukudi and Madurai. They stress the importance of government-led discussions to address these concerns and devise suitable solutions.
Coimbatore District Collector Kranti Kumarpadi acknowledges the delays in airport expansion attributed to legal challenges and various other factors. However, with all necessary land secured for the project, there are no impediments to commencing expansion activities. He assures that further steps will be taken in accordance with the decisions of the Tamil Nadu government.
The acquisition of land for the expansion of Coimbatore International Airport faces further delays, with the original completion target of March-end now pushed back to May 15 by the Revenue Department. This extension is attributed to officials’ involvement in various tasks related to the Lok Sabha elections, particularly the first phase held in Tamil Nadu on April 19.
Out of the 635.33 acres earmarked for acquisition, only about 14 acres remain pending. Among these, approximately 10 acres are categorized as open space reserve (OSR) lands, which are exempt from payment, leaving only four acres requiring acquisition. The total area includes 468.83 acres of privately owned patta lands, 28.37 acres of government-owned poramboke lands, 134.32 acres of Defense lands, and 3.30 acres belonging to other government departments. These lands are situated across Singanallur, Uppilipalayam, Kalapatti, Neelambur, and Irugur villages.
(With Inputs From Hindu Tamil)
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