Tamil Nadu seeks clearance for Rameswaram airport project

The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has applied to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for site clearance to establish a new greenfield airport at Manikaneri in the Ramanathapuram district.

The proposed airport is planned to cover approximately 600 acres, with land acquisition processes already underway. The selection of Manikaneri followed an assessment of five potential locations and a recommendation from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) after a pre-feasibility study.

The project aims to improve connectivity to Rameswaram, a major pilgrimage and tourism hub home to the Ramanathaswamy Temple and Dhanushkodi. Currently, visitors must rely on road and rail transport, which can result in long travel times. The new facility is intended to reduce travel duration and provide an additional transport option for devotees, tourists, and elderly travelers, potentially boosting local business for hotels and traders.