AAI pushes for land acquisition for Tiruchi airport.

With the proposal on the expansion of the Tiruchi International Airport yet to take off pending acquisition of the required land, a suggestion has been made to de-link the Defence land from the acquisition process so that the runway extension work can be taken up first.

The proposal was mooted at the Airport Advisory Committee here held on Saturday. The meeting chaired by P. Kumar, MP, was attended by District Collector Jayashree Muralidharan, B.C.H. Negi, Airport Director, committee members, and officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the State government.

The Defence Ministry had given 'in-principle' approval for providing about 168.48 acres of its land adjoining the airport. However, it had sought alternative land of equal value in exchange.

Ms. Muralidharan said, after the meeting, that the district administration had identified alternative land and the site had to be inspected by the Defence authorities and approved.


THE HINDU