Chennai: The airport at Vellore, a city which accounts for about 37 per cent of the country’s finished leather exports and also has the potential to attract religious & medical tourists besides international students, may come into operation again.
Several key players, including airlines and VIT University, are keen on working towards developing the present unutilised airstrip spread over 51.5 acres to ensure better air connectivity in the region and also spur overall economic development.
Vellore has a unique history of its own. The 13th century fort raised by the Vijayanagara empire, still houses the famous Sri Jalakanteswarar temple. The over 250-acre lush green VIT University has its own helipad, CMC Vellore Medical College and Hospital besides the Sripuram Golden Temple are among the attractions of Vellore that emerged on the banks of Palar river.
According to sources, the civil aviation ministry is keen on developing the airport at Vellore with State’s participation. In mid-June this year, the Cabinet cleared the new civil aviation policy, which among other things paves way for the restoration of airstrips at a maximum cost of Rs 50 crore through the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
“We want to make it a regular airport and ensure good connectivity between Vellore – Chennai, Vellore – Tirupati and Vellore – Bengaluru. We want to make it emerge as a regular and serviceable airport. During my meeting with the Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, recently, I requested him to take up the project.
