The deadline for submitting proposals to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) to find a consultant to create a techno-economic report for the Parandur greenfield airport has been extended. The deadline for opening the tenders was originally January 6, but it has been postponed by a month. In the 4,500 acres of land that have already been set aside for the project, around 70 kilometres from the city, the consultant will carry out the study, compile a report, and choose builders for the new airport. According to sources, the firm asked for more time due to festive holidays, which resulted in the deadline for bidders to submit their offers being extended.

“All of them who participated in the pre-bid meeting requested extra time because the work to prepare documents and other work is anticipated to slow down due to holidays between Christmas, New Year, and Pongal,” stated an official. The initiative has garnered positive feedback, and the work will be finished once all the studies have been completed, he said. The chosen consultant will create a thorough techno-economic report that will include a traffic forecast, market analysis, aviation sector study, evaluation of the project site, including an obstacle limitation surface study, creation of airport masterplan, economic and financial analysis, environmental and social impact assessment, and obtaining of statutory clearances. The existing airport in Meenambakkam can be expanded with some limitations, hence the government is planning to construct a new airport with a capacity to handle 100 million passengers annually for a cost of INR 200 billion.