Thiruvananthapuram: The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has recommended integrated environmental clearance (EC) along with coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance for the proposed expansion of Terminal 2 (international) at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, clearing the way for the next stage of regulatory approval for the Rs 8,707-crore project.The recommendation, made at the 217th SEAC-1 meeting held on Aug 13 and 14, covers the airport expansion for a 10-year period, subject to conditions in the existing environmental clearance and additional safeguards specified by the committee.“With this recommendation, the final clearance from the state environment impact assessment authority is required, and it is just a formality. We hope to start construction after floating tenders in the next financial year, which will include development of the T2 terminal and hotel component,” said a source close to the airport.The expansion aims to raise the airport’s passenger-handling capacity to 27 million passengers per annum and cargo-handling capacity to 0.42 million tonnes per annum. The project covers the existing 248.29 hectares and requires an additional 6.88 hectares to meet DGCA safety requirements and improve airside and landside operations.The master plan includes terminal redevelopment, a new cargo complex, upgrades to aprons and taxiways, and digital infrastructure to improve passenger experience — with a proposed built-up area of about 5.52 lakh square metres, including a forecourt, commercial areas, offices, an airport hotel, air traffic control facilities and a multi-level car park.The Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority issued its CRZ recommendation in Dec 2025. A public hearing in Aug 2025 had recorded concerns over land acquisition, pollution of the Parvathy Puthanar canal, tree-cutting and local employment.TIAL has earmarked Rs 84.45 crore in capital expenditure under its environmental management plan, with Rs 4.08 crore allocated annually thereafter.SEAC had earlier found the original CER proposal inadequate and directed TIAL to clarify issues around excavation and transport of earth. A revised CER, submitted in May 2026 and further modified per SEIAA directions, has now been uploaded to the Parivesh portal. TIAL has clarified that excavated material will primarily be reused on-site for level-raising and backfilling, with any transport or external sourcing following prescribed procedures.Among SEAC’s conditions: Stormwater runoff must pass through oil-water separators and silt traps before discharge into the canal, a two-hectare green area must be maintained under the landscape plan, and of roughly 280 trees affected, timber-yielding species will be prioritised for transplantation.
