Chennai, Nov 16 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu government has taken a pivotal step towards the creation of an international airport at Hosur by officially submitting a site clearance application to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

This proposed airport, strategically positioned between Berigai and Bagalur in Shoolagiri taluk, is envisioned to accommodate 30 million passengers annually, positioning it as one of the state's most crucial infrastructure endeavors.

Officials have indicated that the state has also reiterated its request to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for a relaxation of airspace restrictions that are currently impeding progress.

Tamil Nadu's initial approach to the MoD occurred in June; however, Defence officials raised concerns regarding overlapping airspace with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru International Airport, and Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) in Hosur.

A senior official commented that the Chief Secretary has once again provided comprehensive technical clarifications outlining how operations at the proposed Hosur airport can coexist harmoniously with the existing aviation facilities in the vicinity.

"The airspace of Bengaluru airport and TAAL already overlaps with HAL. We have illustrated that similar arrangements can be implemented for Hosur as well. We are now awaiting an updated response from the Ministry," the official remarked.

The site clearance process is anticipated to span six to eight months.

In contrast, the Parandur greenfield airport near Chennai took just over a year to obtain its site clearance.

Upon completion of this stage, the project will require in-principle approval from the Centre before any further actions can be initiated.

Nonetheless, a significant regulatory obstacle remains: an agreement between Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation prohibits the establishment of any new airports within 150 km of Bengaluru airport for an eight-year period.

This implies that even after obtaining clearances, Tamil Nadu will face a nearly decade-long wait before commencing commercial operations at Hosur.

Despite these challenges, the state government is advancing with meticulous planning for the airport, which is poised to accelerate the region's transformation.

Hosur, already recognized as a hub for electronics and manufacturing, has been attracting substantial investments in emerging sectors.

The proposed airport, equipped with state-of-the-art passenger and cargo infrastructure, is expected to diminish reliance on Bengaluru airport and stimulate economic growth in western Tamil Nadu.

The project is slated to span 2,300 acres, with the government already owning approximately 650 acres.

The initial phase will feature one terminal and two runways, with provisions for future expansion to meet increasing passenger and cargo demands.