Sudden revival of satellite terminal plan at Chennai airport by AAI - What happened now?
After 6 long years after proposing the satellite terminal plan, AAI now has revived its proposal in Chennai airport. This is making sensational news now. It is learnt that the airport can`t be reached through GST Road but only through a long and elevated corridor from NH32. It is known that NH32 runs behind the airport.
It must be recalled that 6 years back, AAI has proposed a satellite terminal plan due to aircraft movements and due to gradual increase in the number of people who travel. As the logistics and land acquisition were difficult, AAI dropped the plan. Now, AAI has predicted the satellite terminal near remote bays in the airside area of the airport. It would come up between the primary and secondary runway.
As per officers from AAI it was clear that a huge chunk of land was needed for creating the facility. They threw light on the need for lands for building the satellite terminal, approach roads, connectivity etc. Point is that the TN state govt was approached for the sake of the lands.
At the recent meeting between AAI and TIDCO it was revealed that it would be very costly to procure lands for expansion. As the AAI did not want to give up their plan they came up with a new plan of constructing an elevated corridor NH32 connecting Tambaram and Maduravoyal through Thandalam and Gegugambakkam. Information is that passengers would be taken directly to the entry point of the satellite terminal.
According to an official belonging to AAI, the elevated corridor does not require large scale land acquisitions. For constructing the corridor, DPR would be needed and a consultant has been appointed. Now, approval from WRD and CPCB would be needed as the elevated corridor would go over the Adyar River.
