The Madurai Airport Underpass Proposal Status

The Madurai airport underpass proposal is a crucial but long-delayed infrastructure project that has been central to plans for expanding the airport’s runway. This expansion, initially announced in 2009, aims to improve the airport’s capacity to accommodate increased passenger and cargo traffic in southern Tamil Nadu. However, the project has been stalled for over a decade, and the underpass plays a pivotal role in its delay.

Importance of the Underpass

The underpass was proposed to be constructed beneath National Highway 45B near Madurai airport. This was intended to prevent the need for a 7-kilometer road diversion that would severely disrupt local transportation and public bus services running every five minutes, serving over 50 villages within a 30 km radius. Without the underpass, the expansion would require traffic on this critical highway to be diverted significantly, causing inconvenience to commuters and economic disruption in the region.

Cost Estimate Controversy

One of the main reasons the underpass project stalled was due to a cost estimate controversy. Initially, the underpass was estimated to cost ₹230 crore. However, in 2022, the Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure Development Corporation (TNRIDC) submitted a revised estimate claiming the cost would be as high as ₹600 crore per kilometer. This substantial increase led the Tamil Nadu government to scrap the underpass plan in November 2022 and consider a cheaper alternative road underpass estimated at ₹200 crore.

Despite this, the alternative road proposal has faced similar issues, particularly with land acquisition, and has failed to gain traction.

Land Acquisition and Legal Challenges

Land acquisition for the runway expansion and the underpass has faced significant delays. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) requires 616 acres for the expansion, but as of 2022, only 529 acres have been handed over, leaving 87 acres pending. Compensation disputes and opposition from villagers—especially from Chinna Udaippu—have led to ongoing court cases, further delaying progress.

Additionally, environmental and jurisdictional challenges have emerged with the need to divert water bodies near the airport, including the Gundar Channel, parts of which fall under the administration of the neighboring Virudhunagar district. Approval for diverting the channel, costing ₹90 crore, remains pending, adding to the delay.

Stakeholder Appeals and Political Support

Trade bodies like the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI) have actively urged the state government to revive the underpass plan, arguing it is essential for the region’s economic growth and connectivity. TNCCI submitted a detailed representation to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Assurance Committee in July 2025, which reviewed the stalled projects, including the runway expansion and underpass.

Several local MLAs and MPs representing Madurai and nearby districts have expressed support for the project, emphasizing its importance for enhancing infrastructure in southern Tamil Nadu.

Broader Connectivity Issues

Beyond the underpass and runway expansion, Madurai Airport faces challenges in air connectivity. The airport is not part of the ASEAN Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), limiting direct flights to Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Trichy airport, which has BASA status, enjoys better connectivity and attracts more flights from these regions.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Madurai had seven weekly direct flights to Singapore, which have now decreased to three. Stakeholders believe improving the airport infrastructure, including completing the runway expansion with the underpass, would help attract bilateral agreements and boost international connectivity.

Current Status and Outlook

As of mid-2025, the underpass proposal remains stalled. The government has yet to revive the originally planned underpass due to the escalated cost estimates and the challenges in land acquisition and environmental clearances. The alternative road underpass plan also remains stuck due to similar issues.

The TNCCI has indicated they may take legal action in the Supreme Court to push for the revival of the underpass project after a dismissal of their plea in the Madras High Court.

Airport officials report that though land acquisition remains slow, it is ongoing, and additional land requests have been submitted to facilitate future expansion.

The Madurai airport underpass project, essential for the long-pending runway expansion, is currently caught in a complex web of financial, legal, and administrative challenges. Its successful completion is critical to avoiding a disruptive road diversion that affects thousands of commuters and to enhancing Madurai’s air connectivity, which is vital for regional economic development.

Despite the setbacks, strong advocacy from trade bodies, political leaders, and airport authorities reflects the project’s strategic importance. Reviving the underpass plan and resolving land and environmental issues will be crucial for Madurai airport to realize its full potential as a hub for southern Tamil Nadu’s commerce and travel needs.

Until these hurdles are addressed, the airport expansion, underpass, and broader connectivity goals will remain on hold, impacting the region’s growth prospects.

This encapsulates the current status and challenges of the Madurai airport underpass project as of 2025.