Question : Construction of airports in Tamil Nadu

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government proposes to expand airports and upgrade aviation infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and if so the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of setbacks faced by different airports in Tamil Nadu due to COVID pandemic;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken to address these issues; and
(d) the details of projects currently underway in Tamil Nadu along with the details of completion stage, funds allocated and funds spent for these projects?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a) to (d): Expansion and upgradation of airports is an ongoing process and is undertaken by Airports Authority of India (AAI) depending on the availability of land, commercial viability, socio-economic considerations, traffic demand/willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports etc. The details of the major works undertaken by AAI at airports in Tamil Nadu along with funds allocated, funds spent and Projected Date of Completion (PDC) are at Annexure. These works are at different stages of completion.;
Due to covid-19 pandemic, the domestic and international passenger traffic at the airports in Tamil Nadu has decreased by 68.4% and 88.7% respectively in the FY 2020-21 as compared to FY 2019-20. AAI has taken all the necessary measures e.g. contactless movement of passengers, ensuring hygiene and sanitization of airport premises, following social distancing norms, thermal screening and RT-PCR testing of passengers to ensure safety and hygiene of the passengers.