Development of Neyveli and Vellore airports completed, licensing process under way: MoCA

The development of Neyveli and Vellore airports has been completed and the licensing process is currently underway, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said on Monday.

Mr. Mohol told the Rajya Sabha that in Tamil Nadu, five airports including Vellore, Salem, Thanjavur, Neyveli and Ramanathapuram, were chosen for operating flights under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik scheme (RCS-UDAN). Of these, Salem airport has begun to witness operations.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has been acquiring land for the development of Ramnad airport, he added.

“At Tanjore, the construction of civil enclave can be taken up by AAI on provision of required Approach Road by the State government,” he said in response to a question by DMK member Kanimozhi N.V.N. Somu.

When asked if more destinations are considered under the scheme in Tamil Nadu, he said, RCS-UDAN is market driven and the airline operators will assess the feasibility in a specific route and then place bids.

He also noted that airstrips including Arakonam, Chettinad, Cholavaram, Sulur and Ulundurpet, are unserved and available in the UDAN scheme for bidding.