Tamil Nadu seeks central clearance for Rameswaram airport

The Tamil Nadu government is moving forward with plans to establish a new airport at Manikaneri in the Ramanathapuram district to improve access to Rameswaram. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) intends to apply to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for site clearance, which is the primary approval required for the project.

The proposed airport is expected to occupy approximately 600 acres. The site was selected following inspections by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which narrowed down five initial locations in the district to two finalists: Kumbaram and Manikaneri. Manikaneri was ultimately chosen as the preferred site.

The project aims to bolster the regional economy and support tourism for visitors traveling to the Ramanathaswamy temple, Dhanushkodi, Arichalmunai, and the memorial of former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Currently, travelers to the area rely exclusively on road and rail transport.