Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin   

Airport needs more facilities: chamber

Tuticorin: Tuticorin is one of the major towns in the State gifted with industrial investments and it has marked its significant presence in the country’s map.

The inauguration of major infrastructural projects by Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently in the heart of the town is a good sign of development, though it is taking place gradually. But the developmental projects to augment the infrastructural facilities in all aspects need to be fast tracked. The Vagaikulam airport here has facilitated remarkable growth and development of a chain of industries, trade and commerce not only in Tuticorin but in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

The Tuticorin harbour, one of the major seaports in India, is poised to carry out major development works in a bid to cater to the export-import trade. “Though the setting up of the airport at Vagaikulam, commonly referred to as Tuticorin airport, triggered the development of this region, the facility needs modern amenities,” D.R. Kodeeswaran, secretary, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tuticorin, told The Hindu here on Sunday.

A memorandum to this effect had been handed over recently to the Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel and MPs S.R. Jayadurai (Tuticorin) and B. Manicka Tagore (Virudhunagar), he said. In the memorandum, a request had been made to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Civil Aviation Ministry to acquire 1,000 acres for expanding the infrastructure.

The runway must be lengthened to facilitate handling of international flight services to Sri Lanka, Far East and Middle East countries and domestic services to Bangalore, Cochin, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Besides, the airport should be equipped with amenities such as waiting and departure lounges, ATM, taxi and bus services, besides night navigation and lighting facility.

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