AAI plans greenfield airport at Rameswaram
image for illustrative purpose
Chennai: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has identified a site near Keelakarai in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district as the most suitable location for the proposed greenfield airport planned to serve Rameswaram and its surrounding regions.
A pre-feasibility report submitted recently to the Tamil Nadu government has found the Keelakarai site — located near Manikaneri and Mayakulam villages — to be technically viable for airport development.
The move follows a request from the state government in September last year, asking the AAI to evaluate two potential locations: one near Uchipuli and the other near Keelakarai. In October, a joint inspection team comprising officials from the AAI and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) conducted detailed field visits to both sites.
According to sources, the Keelakarai location presents fewer physical and social challenges compared to Uchipuli. While this site does have some high-tension power lines and waterbodies, these are considered manageable obstacles.
In contrast, the Uchipuli site is dotted with dense tree cover, agricultural lands including paddy fields, groundwater wells and a higher concentration of residents, which could complicate land acquisition and construction.
AAI officials noted that the high-tension lines at Keelakarai would need to be rerouted if the project proceeds.
