Chennai airport expansion programme has been delayed for long time is known. The news that has come out now is this Chennai airport expansion programme has now got boost due to Union Cabinet giving their approvals over three major infrastructure projects.
On Wednesday, 2nd May 2018, union commerce and industry and civil aviation minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu attracted the attention of many when he spoke about how the new terminal building approved would have a capacity of 35 million passengers per annum. He later spoke about how growth requirements till the year 2027 would be taken care of by this. A staggering amount of Rs 2467 crores would be spent on this new terminal expansion.
New terminal buildings at Chennai, Guwahati and Lucknow airports would be superb and would cost Rs 5000 crores above. Travelling by air would not be same anymore and it would be much superior when compared to the past.
Up-gradation and expansion of present Chennai airport was approved by CCEA or Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. By the month of December in the year 2021 new airport terminal buildings would be operational and would handle as many as 35 million passengers per annum.
The Minister did not make any announcements regarding the proposed green field airport near Sriperumbudur. It is known that a mammoth amount of Rs 15000 crores would be needed as an investment for this new airport.
The state of Tamil Nadu needs a total outlay of Rs 21500 crores and it includes Rs 6500 crores for the expansion of airports in places like Trichy, Madurai and Coimbatore. This was confirmed by a study made by TN government officials.
According to a senior state official, this was a long pending due and it brings huge happiness. He also spoke about how former chief minister Dr. Jayalalitha played her role in establishing a Greenfield airport near Chennai so that 40 million passengers and 1 million tonne cargo capacity per annum could be handled.
Chennai airport sources have confirmed that in the year 2012 the Chennai city recorded a daily average of 23600 domestic passengers and 14500 international passengers. Every year there has been 2 to 3 percent steady increase in the number of passengers.