TN Identifies 5 Sites for Rameswaram Airport; Pre-Feasibility Study Underway

The government of Tamil Nadu has identified five sites in the Ramanathapuram district, among which one will be selected for the construction of the airport at Rameswaram as part of the strategy to improve connectivity to the south through new tourist inflow into the state.

This follows the announcement in the state budget of 2024 regarding an airport at Rameswaram to upgrade infrastructure and improve economic access to the area. This promise was made by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu along with other developmental promises made in the budget speech given earlier. A preliminary feasibility study is to be undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) soon, which will evaluate the location for the planned sites. The proposed list will be narrowed down to three by next year before the final decision is made.

“The project would require nearly 700 acres. We are trying for a single runway airport that can handle Code C aircraft,” said an official source knowledgeable about developments.

After conducting the feasibility analysis, an Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey will be performed, meant to assess the building heights and safety evaluation of flight operations.

Rameswaram, famous for the temple of Ramanathaswamy and its beautiful Dhanushkodi coast, attracts pilgrims leaving their homes all year round, both Indian and foreign. At present, tourists travel to Madurai and then take three hours by road to get to Rameswaram.

“Thousands of pilgrims, especially those combining visits to Varanasi and Rameswaram, will benefit. Foreign tourists will also find it easier to access the region,” S.P. Rajendran, Chairman, Travel Agents Association of India, South Tamil Nadu Chapter, said.

The airport will change the fate of the region, according to many tourism industry experts. “This airport will result in a drastic increase in tourist traffic, which will, in turn, energize local businesses and employment,” said Mohammed Afzal, Chair of the Tourism Committee at the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“This will boost hospitality, transport, and retail sectors. Investors will see potential, and the economy of the place will benefit through direct and indirect job creation,” noted Afzal.

Tamil Nadu’s plans for site evaluation are part of efforts towards transforming Rameswaram into a tourist and investment hub in the south.