4 runways for Sriperumbudur airport

The proposed greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur near Chennai will now have four runways, instead of the two planned earlier. The decision will see the number of passengers and aircraft being handled by the new airport increase manifold. The Airports Authority of India will shortly submit the project report to the state government. Sources indicated that despite the on-going modernisation of the existing Chennai airport, a new airport will be required. The airport, which is expected to become functional in the next few years, will see Chennai join select cities such as Mumbai and Goa which will have two airports. AAI’s project report will make out a case for a second airport for the city, given the growth in air traffic. It will also outline the cost of constructing the airport. With elections in the state, a decision on going ahead with work on the new airport will have to be taken by the new Government. It will also have to decide how it wants the greenfield airport to be constructed—whether by AAI or by involving the private sector.