Tamil Nadu Moves Closer To Greenfield Airport In Ramanathapuram District; Two Sites Shortlisted: Report

Four months after unveiling plans for a greenfield airport in Ramanathapuram district, the Tamil Nadu government has narrowed its options to two potential sites, one near Uchipulli and another close to Keelakarai, The Hindu reported.

The project may now require between 500 and 600 acres, slightly less than the 700 acres initially estimated.

“Though these two sites are feasible, the State government has asked TIDCO to also look for a site closer to Rameswaram. So, we are looking to see if there is any other suitable location,” a source was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Any development at Uchipulli site will, however, require clearance from the Navy.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation had in September last year asked the Tamil Nadu government to explore locations and build the Ramanathapuram airport under the regional air connectivity scheme (RCS) with a passenger terminal building and other facilities.

In March 2025, the state announced its decision to move forward with the project, positioning it as a catalyst for both tourism and economic activity in the south.

Officials from Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) subsequently carried out inspections at five potential sites before shortlisting the two most viable.

The assessment considered factors such as proximity to existing airports, land shape and size (ideally a 3,500 metre by 500 metre rectangle), topography, soil conditions, accessibility, wind direction, and the absence of major obstacles.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will now undertake a pre-feasibility study, with a final decision expected next year.

Currently, thousands of pilgrims visiting Rameswaram rely on road or rail, while many fly to Madurai before taking a 150 km drive.

The proposed airport is expected to ease that journey and also benefit nearby districts including Sivagangai, Virudhunagar, and Pudukkottai.

This project marks the third airport initiative being actively pursued by the Tamil Nadu government, alongside new developments at Parandur and Hosur.

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