plan to shift Coimbatore airport entrance..
Work on extending the runway of the Coimbatore International Airport is expected to begin soon, even as discussions are under way on redesigning the airport’s main access point, according to officials.
The airport at Peelamedu currently operates services to major domestic destinations including Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and to international destinations such as Sharjah, Colombo, Abu Dhabi and Singapore.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been pursuing land acquisition for the proposed expansion for the past few years. Of the 630 acres required, recovery of about 52 acres of leased land is progressing in phases. The runway is planned to be extended to 3,800 metres. With cargo operations witnessing steady growth, officials said major upgrades to internal airport infrastructure can begin only after land acquisition is completed.
Congestion on existing access road
The present approach road to the airport passes through dense residential and commercial stretches, leading to heavy congestion, particularly during peak international flight movements.
To ease traffic flow, AAI has proposed a dedicated access corridor from Neelambur, near the Star Hotel junction on Avinashi Road. A fresh request has been sent to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) seeking the required land. About 10 acres under the control of NHAI, including specific road stretches near Neelambur, have been identified. Efforts are under way through the Union Government to transfer the land to AAI.
Once approval is granted, the airport’s main frontage and entry point will be shifted. Vehicles will then access the airport through a separate 5-km link road from Neelambur, creating an exclusive zone for airport-bound traffic.
Implications for flyover and Metro Rail projects
The proposed shift in the airport entrance is said to be a key reason for the delay in approval for the 5-km flyover planned between Goldwins and Neelambur. According to sources, a 15-metre section of the flyover requires coordinated design approval from Metro Rail authorities. The remaining 3.5 km can be executed by the State Highways Department once detailed estimates are finalised.
Metro Rail authorities are reportedly of the view that a short, stand-alone stretch originating from Chinniyampalayam (Goldwins) may not be viable. A major metro station is being planned near the Star Hotel junction at Neelambur, which is expected to serve as a key node for road networks, the proposed flyover, the bypass and metro alignment. Hence, the zone is being treated as a critical junction point.
Metro Rail proposal under review
Sources indicated that the long-pending Metro Rail proposal for Coimbatore—often attributed to population-based criteria—may, in fact, be linked to the larger infrastructure redesign currently under discussion.
The State Government has expressed interest in taking up works worth ₹900 crore from Goldwins to Neelambur. A joint consultation meeting between NHAI and Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is expected to take place soon, during which key decisions on Metro Rail feasibility for Coimbatore are likely to be taken.