TN keen on Chennai airport revamp

With the modernisation of the Delhi and Mumbai airports well on course, the ruling DMK combine in Tamil Nadu has started sending feelers to the Centre on revamping of the Chennai airport.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today met Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's pointsman, to discuss the modalities.

During the hour-long meeting, the two ministers discussed issues relating to land requirement for upgrading the facilities at the Chennai airport.

The state government apparently wants a parallel runway alongside the existing one, however, for this excess land has to be acquired.

After the meeting, both Maran and Patel said the state government has to come out with a final proposal on the status of the land required.

Patel said a proper status report on the availability of land would be made available by the state government in the next 15 days. Once there is a definite idea as to how much land is available, the work can start on the upgradation of the airport, Patel said.