**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Civil Aviation's (MoCA) response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3195, due on December 18, 2025, concerning the development of airports in Tamil Nadu. It details the existing operational airports, ongoing development and expansion projects, funds allocated, and proposals for new airports, including Greenfield Airports (GFAs) and those under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN). An application for Site Clearance for the development of a greenfield airport at Hosur is currently under consideration.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Existing Operational Airports:**
* Tamil Nadu has six operational airports: Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tuticorin, and Coimbatore.
* **Ongoing Development and Expansion Projects:**
* Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken various development and expansion works including:
* Modernisation and construction of additional Terminal Building at Chennai Airport.
* Grading of the operational area on the south side of the runway at Madurai Airport.
* Construction of a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower-cum-Technical Block at Tiruchirappalli Airport.
* Construction of an operational boundary wall at Vellore Airport.
* **Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy:**
* Government of India (GoI) has a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008.
* "In-Principle" approval for a greenfield airport at Parandur has been accorded.
* An application for Site Clearance for a greenfield airport at Hosur was received in November 2025 and is currently under consideration.
* **Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN):**
* Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched RCS-UDAN on 21.10.2016.
* Salem, Vellore, Neyveli and Tanjore airports have been identified for RCS flights. Salem airport has been operationalised.
* **Funds Allocated and Expenditure (Details in Annexure):**
* The annexure provides details on funds allocated, disbursed, and utilized for major development and expansion works at airports in Tamil Nadu:
* Chennai modernisation project (Phase II) has an approved cost of ₹2467 Cr, with ₹1690.84 Cr utilized till Nov 2025.
* Chennai: Storm Water Drain in operational area project has an approved cost of ₹146.19 Cr, with ₹34.97 Cr utilized till Nov 2025.
* Chennai: Refurbishing of T1 & T4 project has an approved cost of ₹81.8 Cr, with ₹9.27 Cr utilized till Nov 2025.
* Chennai: RETs, taxi tracks & allied works project has an approved cost of ₹480.06 Cr, with ₹0 utilized till Nov 2025.
* Coimbatore: Boundary wall for newly acquired land project has an approved cost of ₹51.31 Cr, with ₹0 utilized till Nov 2025.
* Madurai: Grading of operational area & drainage works project has an approved cost of ₹17.17 Cr, with ₹15.59 Cr utilized till Nov 2025.
* Tiruchirappalli: New ATC Tower cum Technical Block project has an approved cost of ₹80.17 Cr, with ₹34.76 Cr utilized till Nov 2025.
* Vellore: Operational boundary wall project has an approved cost of ₹10.18 Cr, with ₹4.73 Cr utilized till Nov 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Airports Authority of India (AAI)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for undertaking development and expansion works at existing airports in Tamil Nadu.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementation of approved projects at Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Vellore airports.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)**
* **Impact:** Oversees the development of airports in Tamil Nadu, including GFAs and RCS-UDAN airports.
* **Action Required:** Continue to consider the Site Clearance application for the greenfield airport at Hosur. Oversee the implementation of the RCS-UDAN scheme in Tamil Nadu.
**Stakeholder: Air Passengers and the Public**
* **Impact:** Will benefit from improved airport infrastructure, enhanced regional connectivity, and affordable air travel.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the new airport developments and utilise the new routes.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Responsible for coordinating land acquisition and providing necessary support for airport development projects.
* **Action Required:** Support the development of GFAs at Parandur and Hosur, facilitate the implementation of RCS-UDAN, and monitor the progress of airport development projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu: The state where the airport development is taking place, according to the unstarred question.
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA): The primary government body responsible for the development of airports in India.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The entity undertaking development and expansion works at airports in Tamil Nadu.
Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN): Scheme to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable.
Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008: Policy for development of Greenfield airports in the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3195
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORTS IN TAMIL NADU
3195. THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the total number of existing airports developed/proposed to be developed in Tamil Nadu
during the last five years;
(b) the total number of airports that are under expansion/proposed for expansion in Tamil
Nadu, airport-wise;
(c) the total funds allocated, disbursed and utilised for the development/expansion of airports
in Tamil Nadu, airport-wise; and
(d) whether the Government has any proposal to construct/start new airports in Tamil Nadu,
if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c): Tamil Nadu presently has six operational airports, namely Chennai, Madurai,
Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tuticorin, and Coimbatore. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has
undertaken various development and expansion works at the airports in Tamil Nadu which
inter-alia includes modernisation and construction of additional Terminal Building at Chennai
Airport, grading of the operational area on the south side of the runway at Madurai Airport,
construction of a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower-cum-Technical Block at
Tiruchirappalli Airport, and construction of an operational boundary wall at Vellore Airport.
The details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred towards major development and
expansion works at airports in Tamil Nadu are placed in the Annexure.
(d): Government of India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008 for
development of Greenfield airports in the country. As per this policy, GoI has accorded "In-
Principle'' approval for development of a greenfield airport at Parandur. An application for
Site Clearance for the development of a greenfield airport at Hosur has been received in
November, 2025, which is currently under consideration of this Ministry.;
;
In addition, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched Regional Connectivity Scheme -
Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) on 21.10.2016 to enhance regional air connectivity
from unserved and underserved airports in the country and make air travel affordable to the
masses. In the state of Tamil Nadu, four airports, namely Salem, Vellore, Neyveli andTanjore have been identified for the development and operation of RCS flights under the
Scheme, of which Salem airport has been operationalised.
******Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred
Question No. 3195 for 18.12.2025
Approved Expenditure /
Sl. Project / Nature of Cost (A/A & Utilisation till
Airport
No. Work E/S) Nov-2025
(in Cr.) (in Cr.)
Modernisation of
1 Chennai Airport – 2467 1690.84
Phase II
Storm Water Drain
2 146.19 34.97
Chennai in operational area
Refurbishing of T1
3 81.8 9.27
& T4
RETs, taxi tracks &
4 480.06 0
allied works
Boundary wall for
5 Coimbatore 51.31 0
newly acquired land
Grading of
6 Madurai operational area & 17.17 15.59
drainage works
New ATC Tower
7 Tiruchirappalli cum Technical 80.17 34.76
Block
Operational
8 Vellore 10.18 4.73
boundary wall
*****