AMMA unveils the new “MAA”
Chennai – Airport project gets Centre’s nod
Battle for Southern Supremacy
The Hindu had reported a few weeks ago that the TN Government plans to construct a new airport in Tambaram, Chennai to meet the increasing air traffic needs of the city. Chennai’s English eveninger News Today reports that the Central Government has given the go ahead for expansion of the current Meenambakkam airport by alloting an area north of the existing airport. If the government had not acted now, Chennai would have probably found it difficult to compete with the likes of Bangalore and Hyderabad, which are currently in the process of constructing the new airports. Given the pace at which things move in India, we can safely assume that it will take a minimum of 5 years for this new project to be completed. This expansion will come in handy as the airport can handle wide-bodied jets as and when they decide to descend in Chennai. Budget airlines would help increase the number of air travellers and hence the revamped Meenambakkam airport can handle this increased load.
Battle for Southern Supremacy
Apart from the fight for IT dominance, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad can now slug it out for dominance in the skies as well. Hyderabad seems to have fired the first salvo by announcing that Air Sahara will use Hyderabad as the hub for South India. Air Sahara is probably the first airline in India to adopt the hub and spoke model. AP Government also played a role in this as they offered some sops to Air Sahara. I hope Karnataka and TN government should be more proactive in spotting such opportunities.
posted by Kaps at
10:11 PM
15 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
By
Harish, at 10:42 PM
People have always said that they like Chennai airport better than those of other cities in India. If at all an airport that is equivalent to Changi comes up in India, I would like Chennai to take the honors :-)
By
Krish, at 1:10 AM
I would also love to see Chennai take the honors!
By
IBH, at 1:31 AM
"If the government had not acted now, Chennai would have probably found it difficult to compete with the likes of Bangalore and Hyderabad,"
Dude,you have never seen the bangalore airport!It has just one conveyor belt for checked-in luggage to move around:))
It's pretty damn useless.And the "new one" is eons away from completion.
Bangalore is no competition to Chennai..atleast in the airports realm!
PS:Came via teakada.
By
Anonymous, at 1:36 AM
@Thennavan,
chennai airport has undergone some revamp in the last 2 years...we have separate areas for departure and boarding now. The airport is also ISO certified. Trolleys are easily avlbl. Hence it has all it needs to be a leader in the region. However it as a long way to go before it becomes world class.
@Anonymous,
Thanx 4 dropping by. When I said Bangalore airport, I was referring to the upcoming Devanahalli airport. Since both Bangalore & Hyd are pumping in money for their new international airports, Chennai can't be just a spectator. Chennai has taken the right step.
By
Kaps, at 2:45 AM
The state government has allocated free land (1457 acres) north of the existing meenambakkam airport. I am not sure if a new airport is to come up at Tambaram. Also, it seems that the new bangalore airport to come up at Devanahalli would cover an area of 4,050 acres. That is more than Changi airport at Singapore which covers an area about 3200 acres.
By
Anonymous, at 5:28 AM
@Anonymous,
Thanx for pointing out that the new airport is going to come up north of the existing airport. Since the earlier Hindu report said that they were looking at Tambaram, I mistook that the new airport is gonna come up in Tambaram. I stand corrected.
By
Kaps, at 7:35 AM
Colombo airport looked like Vellore bus stand when I came thru it in Dec on way to chennai. During my return in Jan, it looked a little transformed. Its making a pitch for being a major hub in the region which Chennai could also attempt.
By
Anonymous, at 7:52 AM
Actually the new Chennai airport will come up in the villages of Gerugampakkam, Kollapakkam, and Manapakkam situated on the north-western side of the existing airport in Kancheepuram district. I know where Manapakkam is. It is on the Mount-Porur Rd. I do not know where the other 2 villages are. More information on hindu at
http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/30/stories/2005043012670700.htm
http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/30/stories/2005043006040100.htm
It says the new airport is about 50km from chennai.
By
Anonymous, at 8:01 AM
The initial Hindu report some days ago gave the indication that the new airport is going to come up on a 2000 acre site in Tambaram. Here is the link.
http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/16/stories/2005041606050100.htm
But the news now is that it is going to come up northwest of the existing airport. I am not sure if there is enough space available near the existing airport. I think there should be space available in Tambaram. But Tambaram has the IAF base too.
By
Anonymous, at 8:05 AM
Ravi,
I have also passed thru Colombo airport few times and it pales in comparison even with the current Chennai airport. Colombo has SriLankan Airlines which uses CMB as the hub. Unfortunately Chennai doesn't have any such airline which wants to use Chennai as the hub.
By
Kaps, at 8:08 AM
I am glad that the project has been cleared.
I hope the corruption stays out of this construction. We need a Taj Mahal ...I mean the Madras Airport should be a class airport.
I hope and pray, corruption by contractors and Politicians doesn't spoil this.!
By
Narayanan Venkitu, at 5:11 AM
Eventhough, I am eager to see the new airport soon, I am wondering whether it will come out in 5 years time as we are envisaging in this blogsphere.. or it will come late...
Amma knows.. and the next govt. is there to get the name...
By
Ram C, at 3:42 PM
@Ram,
Karunanidhi already wants to take credit for this. He issued a statement in "you know what TV" that his government did the ground work for this new airport to take shape. the mud slinging has already begun.....just when we thought the the Nokia chennai plant drama was coming to a close.
By
Kaps, at 3:55 PM
Colombo Aiport is far better than Chennai. In comparison, Chennai is like a pigsty.
By
Anonymous, at 10:16 PM
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