T.N. government may start land acquisition for Hosur airport in three months

Tamil Nadu may begin land acquisition for the proposed Hosur airport in about three months. The consultant hired by the State government has submitted the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey for two sites identified recently, and the administration is expected to finalise the location within a month and a half.

It may be noted that a few months ago, Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) had also expressed interest to the State government, and talks were held to explore the possibility of a joint venture for the proposed airport. However, sources said it is too early to say whether this will materialise, as everything depends on which site the government selects for the project.

Sources said that, according to the OLS report, it is feasible to build an airport at both identified sites — the first located about 1.5 km from the TAAL airstrip, and the second approximately 15.5 km east of Hosur and north of Shoolagiri. However, it also indicates that there are considerable challenges.

“The report shows that there is undulating land and quite a lot of obstacles around both sites. But it is feasible to construct an airport after implementing the necessary measures at both these locations. The State government will be presented with the advantages and disadvantages of both sites, and it will be up to it to decide which one to proceed with,” a source said.

Meanwhile, the State government, which has written to the Ministry of Defence regarding the formation of a separate air control zone to set up the airport, is expecting the approval to come within two months. The government will also have to hold a meeting with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in this regard soon.

From automobile to electronics manufacturing and new investments in the pipeline, the State stands to benefit significantly if the airport plan materialises. As of now, progress is steady. A year after the airport was announced and some preliminary studies conducted, the State government is now close to finalising a site.