The debate in the legislative assembly reveals that while the land needed for the Coimbatore Airport expansion has been acquired, opposition MLA’s alleged that state government’s requirements are delaying the project, impacting the city's development.
Coimbatore: A recent debate in the legislative assembly has brought to light the challenges surrounding the expansion of Coimbatore Airport. BJP's Vanathi stated that the required land has been secured, but the state government's regulations on allocating this land to the Airport Authority are causing delays, hindering the upgrade of the airport and affecting the development of the growing city of Coimbatore.
Industry Minister Raja emphasized the government's commitment to improving the airport by acquiring land from the people and handing it over to the Airport Authority. He criticized the attempts to privatize this land, asserting the need to preserve state assets and lauded Tamil Nadu's distinctiveness, which is recognized worldwide. The minister urged the public to support the government's decision on this matter.
AIADMK MLA Velumani pointed out the initiatives taken during former Chief Minister Palaniswami's term, where funds were allocated and 500 households were relocated to facilitate the acquisition of 500 acres for the airport, with 30 acres still pending. He argued against following other states' practices and questioned when the expansion works would commence. Velumani highlighted that the delay is diverting cargo flights meant for Coimbatore to Kochi and if resolved, could attract IT firms to the city. However he didn’t mention that land acquisition was stalled for 10 years during the AIADMK regime and funds were allocated in 2021 budget once DMK took over.
Minister Raja also expressed the state's request for direct flights from Chennai to Tokyo, Korea, and America, a facility that Bengaluru enjoys but Chennai lacks due to non-approval. He assured that the central government has been informed of Tamil Nadu's position, and steps will be taken to expedite the airport expansion works. This discussion occurred in the context of the Chief Minister's directive to visit Delhi to further address these issues.
Industry Minister Raja emphasized the government's commitment to improving the airport by acquiring land from the people and handing it over to the Airport Authority. He criticized the attempts to privatize this land, asserting the need to preserve state assets and lauded Tamil Nadu's distinctiveness, which is recognized worldwide. The minister urged the public to support the government's decision on this matter.
AIADMK MLA Velumani pointed out the initiatives taken during former Chief Minister Palaniswami's term, where funds were allocated and 500 households were relocated to facilitate the acquisition of 500 acres for the airport, with 30 acres still pending. He argued against following other states' practices and questioned when the expansion works would commence. Velumani highlighted that the delay is diverting cargo flights meant for Coimbatore to Kochi and if resolved, could attract IT firms to the city. However he didn’t mention that land acquisition was stalled for 10 years during the AIADMK regime and funds were allocated in 2021 budget once DMK took over.
Minister Raja also expressed the state's request for direct flights from Chennai to Tokyo, Korea, and America, a facility that Bengaluru enjoys but Chennai lacks due to non-approval. He assured that the central government has been informed of Tamil Nadu's position, and steps will be taken to expedite the airport expansion works. This discussion occurred in the context of the Chief Minister's directive to visit Delhi to further address these issues.