Karaikal may get private airport in two years

COIMBATORE: The country’s first 100 per cent privately- owned airport could become operational at Karaikal, an enclave of Puducherry, within the next two years, if Super Airport Private Limited, a Coimbatore- based company, has its way.Having purchased 400 acres of land and obtained clearance from the Union Environment Ministry, the company is now looking forward to raise the required fund to start the construction of the greenfield airport. The company hopes to raise the funds within the next six months.“We expect to complete the first phase of construction at an investment of `150 crore within 18 months of the start of infusion of funds. A 1.8 km runway and a 250 php passenger terminal with all other necessary infrastructure to ensure total safety will come up in the first phase,” Super Airport chairman J V Chowdhury said here on Monday.This will later be expanded to a 2.6 km runway with a terminal building capable of handling 500 php within five years and further expanded within 10 years to a 3.5 km runway and a terminal building of 1,000 php capacity.Currently, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry has sanctioned 14 such greenfield airports. While 13 of these projects are based on the Public-Private Partnership model, the Karaikal airport will be the first 100 per cent privately-built and owned airport in India.The company said its pre-feasibility study had indicated a passenger potential of 900 per day.This figure was independent of the traffic already existing in Tiruchy and Puducherry.“We are not looking at Karaikal town alone, but the entire region. For example, there are at least a dozen renowned religious and tourist spots in and around Karaikal. It is also a port town. So, we are aiming at cargo traffic as well,” Chowdhury said.