Cabinet approves international status for Madurai Airport
New Delhi, March 10
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved declaration of Madurai Airport as an International Airport, a move expected to enhance regional connectivity and boost economic development in southern parts of the state.
Announcing the decision, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the upgrade reflects the aspirations of people in the region and will significantly transform Madurai's development prospects.
"The three largest cities in Tamil Nadu are Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai. People aspire to have an international airport here. Keeping Madurai's aspirations in mind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the decision in the Union Cabinet to approve Madurai Airport as an International Airport. This will be a major change in the entire development of Madurai and Tamil Nadu," Vaishnaw said.
According to a release, Madurai Airport, located in the Temple City of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is one of the oldest airports in the State. It serves as a crucial gateway to Southern Tamil Nadu and plays a pivotal role in promoting tourism and pilgrimage, thereby contributing to the overall growth of the region.
Elevating Madurai Airport to International Status would enhance regional connectivity, promote trade, and drive economic development in the region. The airport's potential to attract international pilgrims and businesses aligns with the city's historical prominence, a release added.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet also approved the extension of Jal Jeevan Mission with an enhanced outlay of Rs. 8.69 lakh crore.
Briefing reporters on decisions of Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Union approved Ministry of Jal Shakti's proposal to restructure and reorient the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) from infrastructure creation to a service delivery, supported by drinking water governance and institutional ecosystem for sustainable rural piped potable water supply.
For restructuring JJM with focus on structural reforms, Cabinet approved enhancement of total outlay to Rs. 8.69 lakh crore with total central assistance of Rs. 3.59 lakh crore, enhancing from Rs. 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019-20 i.e. additional central share of Rs. 1.51 lakh crore.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move, but I hope the focus is also on improving basic infrastructure around the airport. The roads leading to it need serious work. Development should be holistic, not just about the airport building.
As someone who travels to Madurai for work often, this is a welcome upgrade. Connecting directly to international destinations like Singapore or Dubai will save so much time compared to transiting through Chennai. Big boost for business travel.
Excellent decision! Southern Tamil Nadu has been needing this for a long time. It will decongest Chennai airport and promote balanced regional development. The Jal Jeevan Mission funding is equally crucial - water and connectivity, both are vital for progress.
Hope this means more direct flights from the Middle East. So many people from this region work in the Gulf. It will be a huge relief for families here if they can fly directly to Madurai instead of taking a long road journey from Chennai or Trichy.
While the airport status is positive, I respectfully question the timing and prioritization. Many domestic airports, including Madurai, still need better basic amenities and on-time performance. Let's ensure the 'international' tag brings real service improvements, not just a name change.
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