Massive Police Presence Sparks Tension in Madurai Amid Fierce Protest Over Airport Expansion

Chennai, Nov 17: The village of Chinna Udaippa in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district is witnessing significant police deployment as residents protest against the proposed Madurai airport expansion. Over a thousand police personnel have been stationed to maintain order, as local villagers demand compensation of three cents of land and a house each in exchange for their properties targeted for acquisition. Officials are poised to begin the land acquisition process, part of a larger expansion to add 633.17 acres to the airport, which already occupies 502.25 acres. Notably, 543.64 acres have already been transferred for expansion purposes.

Madurai Collector M.S. Sangeetha has authorized land acquisition to facilitate the construction of an alternate road, which is essential for completing the airport’s perimeter wall, a 12.36 km feature built on newly acquired land. Despite the 2010 introduction of a new terminal and the operation of international flights to Singapore, Dubai, and Colombo, Madurai airport still awaits official international status. During the 2023-24 period, the airport managed 1.4 million passengers and became operational around the clock on October 1.

According to Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman M. Suresh, flight traffic from Madurai is projected to increase significantly in the upcoming six months. Virudhunagar Member of Parliament B. Manickam Tagore indicated that while international status might be delayed, enhanced domestic connectivity is anticipated, including potential routes to Varanasi and Pune. Presently, Madurai is linked to major cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

To accommodate rising passenger numbers, the airport has adjusted its terminal setup to improve efficiency and minimize wait times. Although the current terminal and runway suffice for existing traffic, officials warn that capacity is nearing its limit. Expansion is deemed crucial to manage future demand, necessitating further land acquisition.

Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/11/17/heavy-police-deployment-in-tns-madurai-after-protest-against-airport-expansion/
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Publish Date: 2024-11-17 15:30:00