The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has pinpointed a location near Keelakarai in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district for a new greenfield airport to cater to Rameswaram and its neighboring areas. A recent pre-feasibility report submitted to the Tamil Nadu government has deemed the Keelakarai site, situated close to Manikaneri and Mayakulam villages, as technically feasible for airport development.
Following a request from the state government last September, the AAI assessed two potential sites, with Keelakarai emerging as the more favorable option over Uchipuli. The Keelakarai location, though featuring some high-tension power lines and waterbodies, poses fewer challenges compared to Uchipuli, known for its dense tree cover, agricultural lands, and higher population density.
Officials highlighted that if the project progresses at Keelakarai, rerouting of high-tension lines would be necessary. Despite this, the land is contiguous and better suited for infrastructure development, with good connectivity to key transportation hubs like Ramanathapuram Railway Station, Madurai Airport, and Thoothukudi Airport.
