News Brief
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The Centre has granted in-principle approval for the long-anticipated greenfield airport at Parandur, reported The Hindu.
This clears the way for the state government to move ahead with the tendering process for the project, set to serve as Chennai’s second airport.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation reportedly informed the Tamil Nadu government on 28 March that the Steering Committee had recommended the project for approval.
This follows the initial site clearance granted in August 2024.
Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) had submitted the application for in-principle approval in September, which was finally approved seven months later after a detailed review and multiple queries.
The airport is designed for code 4F aircraft and future global aviation trends, with the Phase I terminal covering 3,51,380 sq. metres.
The project will be developed in phases, with Phase I costing Rs 11,445 crore out of the total estimated Rs 27,400 crore.
TIDCO aims to commence construction by January 2026 and complete it within two years.
“Nearly 95 per cent of the tender has been drafted, and a few things have to be finalised. After it is ready, the tenders will have to be sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation as per the procedure. Once they give a go-ahead, it can be floated,” a source was quoted as saying by The Hindu.