Tamil Nadu govt. shortlists Cheyyur, Gummidipoondi sites to build Chennai’s second airport; writes to AAI for pre-feasibility study

The Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted two potential sites for the construction of Chennai's second airport and has written to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to conduct a pre-feasibility study. This development occurred just a week after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced that the State government would abandon the greenfield airport project planned at Parandur and would seek alternative sites.

Initially, the Tamil Nadu government had reported that Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi were the leading contenders for the project.

The State government has now officially asked the AAI to assess both Cheyyur, located in Chengalpattu district, and Manellore, near Gummidipoondi, in Tiruvallur district. Following the initial inspections by a team from Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), sources suggest that the Cheyyur site is situated approximately 40 km from Puducherry airport and about 35 km from Kalpakkam. Conversely, the Manellore site is roughly 50 km from Chennai and 35 km from Sriharikota.

Despite the AAI recommending one of the two sites, there may be obstacles in obtaining the necessary approvals from various regulatory bodies. The proximity of Cheyyur to the Indian Air Force base in Tambaram could pose challenges, while the Manellore site in Gummidipoondi presents its own set of difficulties. It is anticipated that the AAI will submit its report within a few months, and the State government aims to commence the second airport project promptly.

However, a source cautioned that it may take anywhere from five to seven years before the project becomes a reality.