Coimbatore: Coimbatore industrialists allege that the delay in airport expansion and metro train project is a huge setback to the city. Coimbatore continues to be one of the fastest growing two tier cities. The delay in implementing airport expansion and metro train projects has a negative impact in the overall growth of the city according to the industrialists here.
Coimbatore: Coimbatore industrialists allege that the delay in airport expansion and metro train project is a huge setback to the city. Coimbatore continues to be one of the fastest growing two tier cities. The delay in implementing airport expansion and metro train projects has a negative impact in the overall growth of the city according to the industrialists here.
Coimbatore is known for manufacturing of textiles,automobile spare parts,engineering, castings, wet grinders, motor pump sets and various other products. There are more than two lakh registered industries and more than 30,000 micro industries at various places across the district. Entire Kongu region which includes the districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Nilgiris, Namakkal, Karur, and Salem play a vital role in the overall growth of industries in the state. The airport at Coimbatore plays a vital role in fulfilling the needs of passengers from seven districts. On an average, 30 lakh people use the airport each year and as far as the cargo section goes, more than 10,000 tonnes of domestic cargo and around 3,500 tonnes in the International Sector are handled each year.
The airport was given International status in 2012 whereas considering the future growth of the airport, the expansion scheme was announced in 2010. As per the scheme, 627.89 acres of land was to be acquired. Though it has been 10 years since the announcement, still the expansion scheme has not been implemented due to delay in the land acquisition process. This delay has badly hit the International passenger flight services and cargo handling at Coimbatore International Airport.
On the other hand, the steep increase in the population and traffic in the district is causing a huge inconvenience to the people. The delay in implementing metro train projects is making the public face severe traffic snarls every day. Industrialists from various sectors have welcomed the Tamilnadu Government's initiative and Minister SP Velumani's interest in fulfilling many infrastructure development projects in Coimbatore. They have stressed the government to help implement the airport expansion scheme and metro train projects at the earliest.
The Southern India Engineering Manufacturers Association (SIEMA) Vice-President KV. Karthik said, " Not only seven districts surrounding Coimbatore, some parts of Kerala also are benefited by the Coimbatore International Airport. The seven districts of Kongu region contribute nearly 50% of the Tamil Nadu GDP. Lack of international flight connectivity continues to reflect in the business since many foreign buyers are not showing interest to come to Coimbatore stating lack of air connectivity as the main reason. When a buyer searches for flight connectivity to Coimbatore from various foreign countries and finds there is not much, the image of the city takes an immediate hit.
He added "Before the 'COVID-19' outbreak, we conducted an International fair named Engineering Exports Promotion Council (EEPC). Though the fair was successful, it taught us a lesson as several participants from abroad cancelled their trips mainly due to the lack of direct flight connectivity to Coimbatore. Cargo handling also has huge potential, but due to the lack of adequate flight services, industrialists are facing a huge problem in sending the goods through bonded trucks by road and then air lifting the cargo from Chennai, Bengaluru, Cochin and some other airports. Implementation of the airport expansion scheme at the earliest is the need of the hour and once it is done, more international flight services will be provided both in the passengers and cargo sector."
Coimbatore District Small Industries Association(CODISSIA) president R. Ramamurthy said, "Tamil Nadu government and Minister SP Velumani continue to show more interest in developing infrastructural facilities in Coimbatore and surrounding districts. Implementing the airport expansion scheme at the earliest is much needed and we hope the government will gear up the process and hand over the lands to the Airport Authority of India. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is giving more importance to Kerala. Even small airports in that state are given more international flight connectivity whereas Coimbatore Airport that has a huge potential is not given much importance. This is a big worrying factor. We hope the airport expansion scheme will be implemented soon."
Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) president, Raja M Shanmugam said, "The airport at Coimbatore is playing a main role in fulfilling the industrial needs of Tirupur, Erode, Karur, and Namakkal districts. At present, more delay is witnessed in cargo handling due to the lack of flight connectivity. This is also the main reason why many foreign buyers are not showing interest. Implementing the metro train project is also much needed for industrial growth. Coimbatore is not a big city like Chennai hence the project should not be restricted within the district alone. It should be integrated with Tirupur and Erode district also. If this happens, the project would be a big success. Our Government should consider this request for including Tirupur and Erode in the Coimbatore Metro Train project."