Tamil Nadu Shortlists Two Sites for Ramanathapuram Airport Project

The Tamil Nadu government has pruned down potential locations for the proposed airport in Ramanathapuram district to two sites, viz, adjacent to Uchipulli and Keelakarai, after an elaborate study by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO). Five sites were first mapped by the officials as possible contenders, but these two places will probably require an estimated 500-600 acres for construction.

The State had earlier estimated 700 acres would be necessary, but revised calculations have brought the requirement down. “Though these two sites are feasible, the government has also asked TIDCO to explore options closer to Rameswaram,” a source familiar with the development said.

One of the shortlisted sites, Uchipulli, will require clearance from the Navy before any construction begins. Officials added that a final decision is expected only after the Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducts a pre-feasibility study, likely next year.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation first asked the State government in September 2024 to explore locations for the project under the regional air connectivity scheme (RCS). It was in March 2025 when the State approved the plan officially, saying that the airport could promote both tourism and economic activity in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. TIDCO teams have since undertaken preliminary field visits and assessments.

The shortlisted sites have been judged from various perspectives, including proximity to existing airports, rectangularity of 3,500 meters by 500 meters area of land, topography, suitability for access, soil conditions, wind patterns, and the absence of major obstacles.

At present, the majority of tourists coming to Rameswaram use trains or buses but air travelers land at Madurai, from where a long road journey of about 150 kilometers is required to reach the temple town. According to officials, the greenfield airport would not only serve pilgrim traffic, but it would also provide better access to nearby districts like Virudhunagar, Sivagangai, and Pudukkottai.

Among a wider development push in aviation infrastructure in Tamil Nadu, this Ramanathapuram project is one of the major expansions of the airport in the state. This would be one of the biggest airport projects that the state is pursuing, apart from Parandur and Hosur, so that regional air connectivity will be enhanced.