Thanjavur airport: ₹100 crore DPR filed; Tiruchi runway expansion 90% done
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta region is a step closer to its first domestic airport after a ₹100 crore DPR was filed with the Civil Aviation Ministry under the UDAN scheme. Meanwhile, Tiruchy International Airport is simultaneously expanding its runway to 12,500 feet at ₹350 crore — a twin infrastructure push that could reshape central Tamil Nadu's connectivity map.
Key Takeaways
A ₹100 crore DPR for a domestic airport at Thanjavur has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for approval and fund allocation.
The proposed airport at Thanjavur Air Force Station will initially handle three ATR aircraft under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
The Tamil Nadu government has already handed over 55 acres of land for the Thanjavur project.
Tiruchy International Airport's runway expansion from 8,000 feet to 12,500 feet , costing ₹350 crore , is in its final land acquisition stage.
A new 53-metre ATC tower costing ₹60 crore is 70% complete at Tiruchy.
Peak-hour passenger capacity at Tiruchy has jumped from 652 to 3,480 after the new integrated terminal was inaugurated.
A ₹100 crore Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed domestic airport at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for approval, administrative sanction, and fund allocation, marking a significant milestone for the long-pending project. The DPR was jointly prepared by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Tamil Nadu government, with the state having already transferred 55 acres of land for the facility.
Thanjavur Airport: What the DPR Proposes
The proposed airport is planned at the Thanjavur Air Force Station under the Centre's UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which aims to improve air access to smaller cities and underserved regions. In its initial phase, the airport would accommodate three ATR aircraft and provide essential connectivity to passengers from the Cauvery Delta districts. The DPR includes plans for an administrative building and other basic infrastructure required for domestic flight operations.
Tiruchy International Airport Director S.S. Raju confirmed the submission, stating: 'As part of the preliminary works, a DPR worth ₹100 crore has been sent to the Civil Aviation Ministry. The project will create the infrastructure necessary to serve domestic air travellers from the Delta region.' The project now awaits Union government clearance before ground work can begin.
Tiruchi Runway Expansion: Land Acquisition Nearly Complete
Separately, land acquisition for the expansion of the Tiruchy International Airport runway — from 8,000 feet to 12,500 feet — is almost complete, according to Raju. The runway expansion is estimated to cost ₹350 crore and is expected to enable wide-body aircraft operations, significantly boosting the airport's cargo handling capabilities and international connectivity.
'Once the runway expansion is completed, wide-body aircraft will be able to operate from Tiruchy, resulting in enhanced cargo facilities and greater connectivity,' Raju said. This development positions Tiruchy as a more competitive hub in southern India's aviation network, particularly for freight traffic.
New ATC Tower and Terminal Upgrades
Work on a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at Tiruchy is approximately 70% complete. The 53-metre-high structure, being built at a cost of around ₹60 crore, is designed to significantly improve air traffic management and operational efficiency at the airport.
The recently inaugurated integrated terminal has already delivered measurable gains: peak-hour passenger handling capacity has surged from 652 passengers to 3,480 passengers. Vehicle parking capacity has more than doubled as well, rising from 450 cars to 990 cars, easing congestion for travellers.
Broader Impact on Tamil Nadu Aviation
Together, these developments signal a concerted push to expand aviation infrastructure across central Tamil Nadu. The Thanjavur airport, if cleared, would extend the benefits of air connectivity to the agriculturally significant Cauvery Delta region — an area that has historically lacked direct air access. This comes amid growing demand for regional air travel under the UDAN scheme, which has already connected several Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India.
The combined upgrades at Tiruchy, alongside the proposed Thanjavur facility, are expected to strengthen the region's economic and logistical profile in the years ahead.
Point of View
Not a groundbreaking — the project still requires Union government approval, administrative sanction, and fund release, each of which has historically delayed UDAN-linked proposals. The Cauvery Delta's case for air connectivity is economically sound, given its agricultural output and tourism potential around Thanjavur's heritage sites, but the dual-use nature of the Thanjavur Air Force Station adds a layer of coordination complexity that civilian airport timelines rarely account for. Meanwhile, Tiruchy's runway expansion to 12,500 feet is the more consequential near-term development: wide-body capability unlocks direct long-haul routes and positions the airport to capture Gulf-bound migrant traffic currently funnelled through Chennai. The risk is that execution timelines slip, as they have before, leaving the Delta region's connectivity ambitions on paper for another cycle.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thanjavur airport project and what stage is it at?
The Thanjavur domestic airport is a proposed facility at the Thanjavur Air Force Station under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme. A ₹100 crore Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for approval and fund allocation, with the Tamil Nadu government already transferring 55 acres of land for the project.
What will the Thanjavur airport offer passengers?
In its initial phase, the airport will accommodate three ATR aircraft and provide domestic air connectivity to passengers from the Cauvery Delta districts. The DPR includes plans for an administrative building and essential infrastructure for domestic flight operations.
What is the Tiruchy runway expansion project?
Tiruchy International Airport's runway is being extended from 8,000 feet to 12,500 feet at an estimated cost of ₹350 crore. Land acquisition is nearly complete. Once finished, the expanded runway will allow wide-body aircraft to operate, boosting cargo capacity and international connectivity.
How has the new Tiruchy terminal improved passenger capacity?
The recently inaugurated integrated terminal at Tiruchy has increased peak-hour passenger handling capacity from 652 to 3,480 passengers. Vehicle parking has also more than doubled, from 450 to 990 cars.
What is the UDAN scheme and how does it relate to Thanjavur airport?
UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) is the Centre's regional air connectivity scheme designed to make air travel affordable and accessible in smaller cities and underserved regions. The Thanjavur airport project is being developed under this scheme, which would subsidise routes to improve connectivity for the Cauvery Delta region.
