Ramadoss for greenfield airport at Oragadam or Sriperumbudur
Special Correspondent
Says land is available in both areas
CHENNAI: PMK founder S. Ramadoss said here on Thursday that considering the demands of air traffic in Chennai in the coming years, a greenfield airport could be set up at Oragadam or Sriperumbudur, near here, on 5000 acres. Land was available in both areas.
Addressing a press conference, he said the number of domestic passengers in Chennai airport had gone up by 10 per cent in 2006-2007 compared to the previous year, and international passengers by 38 per cent.
The cargo handled was two lakh tonnes, 13 per cent higher than in 2005-2006. In the next five years, demands of air traffic in Chennai are expected to go up further.
The existing airport may not be able to meet the demand.
It had been reported that 800 acres would be made available by acquiring land north of the airport. Even if this expansion were done, at a cost of over Rs.1000 crore, the facility would reach saturation point in seven-eight years.
Hence, the Government should consider whether the existing airport should be expanded or a new airport set up as long-term strategy.
Explaining the added advantages of a greenfield airport, he said the existing airport could also be operated.
No privatisation
The PMK leader, who had earlier opposed takeover of land at Pozhichalur for airport expansion, said be it expansion or creation of new airport, the work should be undertaken only by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). On no account should it be privatised.
The State Government should write to the Centre in this regard.
Stressing the demand, he had already written to the Civil Aviation Minister and the Prime Minister. Following pressure brought on the Centre by the CPI (M) and the CITU, expansion of Kolkata airport had been given to the AAI.
"Huge interest"
Dr. Ramadoss said he had information that "certain forces" were evincing "huge interest" in ensuring that the Chennai airport expansion work was privatised.
He said the airport, which was making profit, should not be privatised.
The Chief Minister should convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.
LINK
Special Correspondent
Says land is available in both areas
CHENNAI: PMK founder S. Ramadoss said here on Thursday that considering the demands of air traffic in Chennai in the coming years, a greenfield airport could be set up at Oragadam or Sriperumbudur, near here, on 5000 acres. Land was available in both areas.
Addressing a press conference, he said the number of domestic passengers in Chennai airport had gone up by 10 per cent in 2006-2007 compared to the previous year, and international passengers by 38 per cent.
The cargo handled was two lakh tonnes, 13 per cent higher than in 2005-2006. In the next five years, demands of air traffic in Chennai are expected to go up further.
The existing airport may not be able to meet the demand.
It had been reported that 800 acres would be made available by acquiring land north of the airport. Even if this expansion were done, at a cost of over Rs.1000 crore, the facility would reach saturation point in seven-eight years.
Hence, the Government should consider whether the existing airport should be expanded or a new airport set up as long-term strategy.
Explaining the added advantages of a greenfield airport, he said the existing airport could also be operated.
No privatisation
The PMK leader, who had earlier opposed takeover of land at Pozhichalur for airport expansion, said be it expansion or creation of new airport, the work should be undertaken only by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). On no account should it be privatised.
The State Government should write to the Centre in this regard.
Stressing the demand, he had already written to the Civil Aviation Minister and the Prime Minister. Following pressure brought on the Centre by the CPI (M) and the CITU, expansion of Kolkata airport had been given to the AAI.
"Huge interest"
Dr. Ramadoss said he had information that "certain forces" were evincing "huge interest" in ensuring that the Chennai airport expansion work was privatised.
He said the airport, which was making profit, should not be privatised.
The Chief Minister should convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.
LINK
posted by savepozhichalur at 6:34 AM
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