BrahMos Land Transfer, Funding Delays & Road Relocation Hold Up Project
The project requires around 22 acres to develop the runway end safety area
Thiruvananthapuram: The proposed long-pending runway expansion at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport remains stuck, with land acquisition yet to begin despite repeated govt interventions to resolve the hurdles. Even after the previous state govt issued an order directing officials to expedite the process, not a single cent of land has been acquired, while uncertainty over fund release, transfer of defence land and relocation of public infrastructure continues to delay the work.The project requires around 22 acres to develop the runway end safety area, a mandatory aviation safety feature intended to reduce the risk of damage in the event of an aircraft overshooting the runway.The work was originally scheduled for completion by Sept 2024, but the deadline had to be extended by the directorate general of civil aviation owing to delays in land acquisition. A major stumbling block was the proposed acquisition of around 4.5 acres held by BrahMos Aerospace at Chackai. The transfer involves a defence establishment and requires clearance from the Union defence ministry.Although the state govt had initiated steps to resolve the issue, including exploring the relocation of the BrahMos facility to a proposed site at Nettukaltheri near Neyyar Dam, the land transfer has not progressed sufficiently to facilitate acquisition.The state govt had also identified the need to relocate the Chackai fire and rescue station. In addition, a portion of the Chackai-Shanghumugham road is likely to be affected by the proposed expansion. An alternative road will have to be developed to maintain public access.Another major concern is the funding mechanism for compensation. The airport operator is expected to provide the funds through the Airports Authority of India to the state govt, which will undertake the acquisition through the revenue department. However, airport sources said they were yet to receive formal communication on when the funds would be released.Transport department, special secretary, T V Anupama, told TOI that a meeting was held with the district collector last week to review the pending issues and accelerate the process. She said steps were being initiated to speed up the proceedings.Meanwhile, district collector K S Anju said the acquisition procedures were progressing and that the administration would complete the process at the earliest.The revenue wing, under the district collector, is coordinating the acquisition involving different land parcels and govt agencies.The runway safety upgrade is important for ensuring compliance with aviation safety requirements and improving operational safety, particularly during adverse weather conditions. The delay also comes as the airport operator pursues a wider modernisation programme to expand the airport’s infrastructure and cater to future passenger growth.
