**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 3013 in Lok Sabha regarding the Phase-II expansion of Chennai International Airport. It provides information on the project's revised completion timeline, measures taken to expedite completion, the impact of delays on other projects, and progress monitoring. The original scheduled timeline of the project was February 2022, which has been revised to June 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Details:**
* The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is undertaking the expansion and modernization of Chennai Airport in two phases at a total cost of Rs. 2467 crore.
* Phase-II involves the development of Terminal-3, which will enhance the airport's capacity to 35 MPPA.
* The original scheduled timeline of the project was February 2022, which has been revised to June 2026.
* **Measures to Expedite Completion:**
* The Ministry of Civil Aviation and AAI are monitoring progress in real time through CCTV cameras.
* AAI conducts weekly and fortnightly reviews.
* Liquidated damages for delays attributable to the executing agency are governed by contract provisions.
* **Impact on Other Projects:**
* The ongoing construction of the new terminal at Chennai Airport is aimed at enhancing the overall capacity of the airport to 35 MPPA.
* The project will not have any impact on other ongoing or proposed airport projects in the State of Tamil Nadu.
* **Factors Affecting Completion:**
* Airport project completion depends on multiple factors such as land acquisition, regulatory clearances, removal of obstacles, and financial closure by the respective airport developers.
* The progress of ongoing projects, including the new terminal at Chennai Airport, is continuously monitored regarding timelines, costs, and milestones.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India (AAI)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing and expediting the completion of the Chennai Airport expansion project.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring the project's progress in real-time through CCTV cameras and conduct weekly and fortnightly reviews. Enforce liquidated damages as per contract provisions for any delays attributable to the executing agency.
**Executing Agency**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the execution of the project within specified timelines and costs, subject to liquidated damages for delays.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to project timelines and milestones, address potential delays promptly, and comply with contract provisions regarding liquidated damages.
**Passengers**
* **Impact:** They will experience enhanced airport capacity with the completion of Terminal-3 at the Chennai Airport
* **Action Required:** No direct action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Chennai Airport: The airport whose expansion is the subject of the parliamentary question.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The implementing agency for the expansion and modernization of Chennai Airport.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for overseeing the airport expansion.
Tamil Nadu: The state where Chennai Airport is located and where the impact of delays on other airport projects is being considered.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3013
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
EXPANSION OF CHENNAI AIRPORT
3013. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is true that the Phase-II expansion of Chennai International Airport, originally
scheduled for completion by March 2026, has now been pushed to “end-2026 or early 2027”
despite repeated assurances of timely completion and allocation of public funds and if so, the
reasons therefor;
(b) the concrete measures taken by the Government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI)
to ensure accelerated completion of the project along with the details of specific timelines,
imposition of liquidated damages and interim passenger-traffic management plans to
minimise inconvenience;
(c) the manner in which this delay would impact the ongoing and proposed greenfield airport
projects in Tamil Nadu, given overlapping projected passenger volumes and investments; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to issue a formal progress and delay report outlining
causes, revised cost estimates, financial implications and accountability for repeated shifting
in deadlines and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): The Airports Authority of India has undertaken the expansion and modernization of
Chennai Airport in two phases at a total cost of Rs. 2467 crore. Phase-II involves the
development of Terminal-3, which will enhance the airport's capacity to 35 MPPA. The
original scheduled timeline of the project was February 2022, which has been revised to June
2026.
(b): To expedite project completion, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and AAI are monitoring
progress in real time through CCTV cameras, along with weekly and fortnightly reviews by
AAI. Liquidated damages for delays attributable to the executing agency are governed by
contract provisions.
(c): The ongoing construction of the new terminal at Chennai Airport is aimed at enhancing
the overall capacity of the airport to 35 MPPA and will not have any impact on other ongoing
or proposed airport projects in the State of Tamil Nadu. ;(d): Airport project completion depends on multiple factors such as land acquisition,
regulatory clearances, removal of obstacles, and financial closure by the respective airport
developers. However, the progress of ongoing projects, including the new terminal at
Chennai Airport, is continuously monitored regarding timelines, costs, and milestones.
******