Let Thiruvananthapuram airport get a facelift

The Thiruvananthapuram airport was handed over to the country by the Travancore royal family for a fee of one rupee. It is one of the most strategically important airports in terms of national security. There is hardly any other international airport in India located so close to a city. However, it is a fact that the airport did not see much development under the Airports Authority of India (AAI). After the Adani Group took over the operations, steps were initiated for the airport’s expansion. A comprehensive development project worth Rs 8,707 crore has been planned. As part of its first phase, a contract has been signed for works worth Rs 600 crore under Adani’s 'Project Ananta,' which has a total outlay of Rs 1,300 crore.

The contract includes rebuilding the apron of the international terminal, upgrading the drainage system, adding more check-in counters in the domestic terminal, and constructing a knowledge centre. At present, the airport can handle around 34 lakh passengers annually, but last year alone it saw close to 50 lakh passengers. The expansion is being planned keeping in mind the passenger requirements up to 2070. After completion, the international terminal will span 18 lakh sq. ft. across two levels- one for arriving passengers and the other for departures. The long waiting times currently faced during customs and immigration clearance will be completely avoided. The development aims to create the capacity to handle 2.7 crore passengers annually.

The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin next month. The new terminal is expected to change the face of the airport and will be built as the “Gateway of Goodness.” The terminal is estimated to take three years to complete. For runway expansion as per international standards, the government needs to hand over an additional 12 acres of land at Chackai. The area required is from Chacka to the side of Brahmos to All Saints College. Most of this land belongs to the government. Adani has already expressed willingness to pay for it, so the government must make a decision soon. Earlier, a notification had been issued to hand over the land for the Airports Authority of India, but after Adani took over the operations, the government backed out.

Several portions of the runway are short by up to 20 meters, with the most serious shortage on the All Saints’ side. During annual inspections by international agencies, the authorities usually end up seeking extensions of time to complete the basic safety strip. If this continues, there is even a risk of the license being cancelled. The government should therefore not delay the land acquisition. It must also be remembered that since the runway safety zone was not expanded from 90 meters to 240 meters, large aircraft have not been able to land at Karipur for the past four years. The development of Thiruvananthapuram airport will not only transform the airport itself but also enhance the image of the city.