He was reacting to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s announcement that the state government has decided to drop the proposed Chennai second airport project in Parandur and will look at an alternative site.
“While upgrading the existing facility buys crucial operational runway, Chennai undeniably needs a second airport to support its expanding industrial, manufacturing, and services footprint long-term”, Purushothaman, said.
Regarding the shift away from Parandur, he said the government must swiftly identify and finalize an alternative site through technical feasibility studies.
Execution at the chosen alternative site must be fast-tracked with dedicated focus to prevent project delays and ensure Chennai does not lose its competitive edge to neighboring industrial hubs, Purushothaman, said.
An airport is not merely transport infrastructure; for a capital city and economic powerhouse like Chennai, it serves as a critical growth engine for industry, trade, and investment, he noted.
Purushothaman said right now immediate focus must be working closely with stakeholders to strengthen and upgrade the existing Chennai International Airport at Meenambakkam.
“It remains a vital gateway for business and regional connectivity. Enhancements must focus on significantly improving passenger comfort, augmenting cargo handling capabilities, and building robust infrastructure to seamless handle wide-body international aircraft, he added.
