Green nod delay holds up T’puram airport expansion

T'puram: The expansion of international terminal (T2) at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has hit a procedural roadblock, with delays in securing environmental clearance (EC) from state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA). Airport authorities applied for environmental clearance in Nov last year. However, the proposal was referred to state environment impact assessment committee (SEIAC) for scrutiny only on May 8, after completing verification procedures. Following SEIAC's review, the file will again be sent back to SEIAA for a final decision. Besides, the new govt may reconstitute SEIAA members, further delaying proceedings, sources said.This has delayed the expected start of construction works for T2 redevelopment, which was expected to begin in April 2025.A source close to the airport said uncertainty over the clearance affected the project's timelines for several key components. "Environmental clearance is mandatory before any major construction activity. Since the file moved only now to the appraisal committee stage, there could be more delays depending on observations raised during scrutiny. The airport operator is keen to begin work as expansion is crucial for handling future passenger growth," the source said.SEIAA officials said the process involved multiple stages of technical examination before the final nod can be issued. "The proposal has to undergo SEIAC's detailed appraisal, including examination of environmental impact, compliance measures and supporting documents. After the committee submits its recommendations, SEIAA will take the final call," said a senior official.The EC proceedings suffered setbacks last year after the then SEIAA committee's tenure expired in March. As per procedure, all pending environmental clearance applications are transferred to Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) until a new state-level committee is constituted.The redevelopment includes modernisation of both terminals 1 and 2, construction of multi-level car parking, retail and food courts, office spaces, new air traffic control facilities and hospitality infrastructure. The airport, operated by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd under a long-term concession agreement with Airports Authority of India, handled a sharp rise in passenger traffic in recent years, strengthening the case for urgent infrastructure augmentation.The redevelopment also gained significance due to growing integration plans between the airport and Vizhinjam International Seaport, and is expected to boost tourism, cargo movement and international connectivity in the state capital region.