Is setting up a second airport at Parandur near Chennai really important now?
Posted on: 20/Oct/2022 9:28:37 AM
For the development of the state of Tamil Nadu, constructing a second airport is very important. This was mentioned by Mr. Thangam Thennarasu, minister for industries.
It must be taken into account that currently at Chennai airport passenger handling capacity is 22 million. From 2009 till 2019, in the last 10 years, the passenger handling capacity increased by 9%.The passenger handling capacity would reach 35 million by the year 2029.
It is really sensational to mention here that in the next 30 to 35 years the passenger handling capacity would reach 100 million. In this scenario, a second airport at Parandur is necessary.
It was brought out by Mr.T. Velmurugan, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi that out of 4600 acres of land that would be acquired for building the second airport at Parandur as many as 2666 acres belonged to agricultural lands. He wanted the TN govt to drop the plan of setting up of a second airport at Parandur near Chennai. He concluded that when Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi was the chief minister a land parcel was identified for the airport and it did not have any agricultural lands or houses etc.
It is necessary to take care about the livelihood of the farmers and their concerns must be addressed. The setting up of a second airport at Parandur was the need of the hour. This was pointed out by Selvaperunthagai, Congress floor leader and by Mr. G.K. Mani, PMK floor leader.
The minister for industries later explained that in 2008 Chennai airport was third in the passenger handling capacity. He added that now Chennai has slipped to fifth place while Bangalore airport has moved from fifth to third place.
Cargo handling:
It is learnt that from 2009 to 2019, there has been 7% growth in the cargo handling at the Chennai airport. In Banglore and Hyderabad airports, the cargo handling doubled.
In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and Vizag etc, the second airport was built at a distance of around 60kms from the first airport. Mr. Thangam Thennarasu assured that the second airport would be developed without affecting the livelihoods of the farmers.
