:
The Parandur airport would be constructed as the Central government has given an in-principle approval and site clearance for the project, said Sriperumbudur Member of Parliament T.R. Baalu here on Friday.
Mr. Baalu, who is the Chairman of the Chennai Airport’s Airport Advisory Committee, said the State government’s proposal to acquire nearly 5,700 acres for the Parandur airport is going on.
He was speaking to the media after chairing the Airport Advisory committee meeting in which Chennai Airport Director M. Raja Kishore, Tambaram MLA S.R. Raja, and Pallavaram MLA I. Karunanithi, and senior airport officials participated.
Mr. Baalu said the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was also readying a proposal for the expansion of the existing Chennai Airport and construction of a new freight cargo terminal, for which land should be identified.
He also said the planned extension of the Metro Rail from the present airport to Kilambakkam would make commuting easier for passengers from south Chennai. During the meeting, members of the committee also discussed the troubles faced by passengers who rely on public transport to reach the airport, though the MTC has started operating buses to various destinations.
To a query about the progress of terminal 3 that is under construction, Mr. Raja Kishore said the project would be delayed by a few months due to safety problems. He said the project was initially planned to be completed by July next year.