State govt directs revenue department to expedite land acquisition for Thiruvananthapuram airport runway expansion
Thiruvananthapuram: After months of delay, expansion of runway at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has gained fresh momentum, with the state govt directing officials to fast-track land acquisition and clear all related bottlenecks.
At a high-level meeting chaired by chief principal secretary to the chief minister K M Abraham, the govt instructed the revenue department to expedite procedures for acquiring 22 acres of land needed for the development of the runway end safety area (RESA) — a critical aviation safety feature mandated by international standards. Originally scheduled for completion by Sept 2024, the RESA expansion project has been delayed due to administrative hurdles and land disputes.
The latest govt intervention comes as a push to meet safety norms and accommodate the growing passenger traffic at the international airport. One of the major roadblocks to the expansion has been the 4.5 acres of land under BrahMos Aerospace Ltd, a sensitive defence installation. While the land is essential for the expansion, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Union ministry of defence and its transfer requires Centre's approval.
The state govt is also working on identifying an alternative site for the Chackai fire and rescue station, which lies within the proposed expansion zone. Officials have also confirmed that portions of Chackai–Shanghumugham Road may need to be taken over for the project, however they reassured that the ITI at Chackai would remain unaffected.
Aviation secretary K Biju told TOI that the expansion of the runway is a top priority for both operational safety and long-term development of the airport.
"State govt is fully committed to completing the land acquisition process at the earliest. Coordination with the Union ministry of defence is also underway to resolve the BrahMos land issue," he said.
The project, once completed, will improve safety margins for aircraft operations, particularly during emergency landings and in adverse weather conditions. It will also enable the airport to handle larger aircraft, enhancing its potential as a key aviation hub in southern India.
Airport authorities and AAI officials have welcomed the govt's proactive stance, noting that RESA expansion was critical for retaining international operational certifications.
Revenue and transport officials are expected to intensify measures to complete surveys, initiate compensation packages and begin formal land handovers in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the development of Terminal 2 (International) under Project Anantha is likely to be delayed due to pending environmental clearance from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority.
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