Lok Sabha Question No. 3335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Operationalisation of Vellore and Neyveli Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3335

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  12th March 2026 )

## OPERATIONALISATION OF VELLORE AND NEYVELI AIRPORTS

## 3335.     THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the prolonged delay in licensing and operationalisation of the Vellore and Neyveli RCS airports in Tamil Nadu despite repeated announcements under the UDAN scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of applications submitted for licensing and operational clearance of these airports including dates of submission, inspections conducted, deficiencies pointed out, the present status and the reasons for delay along with the revised timeline fixed for granting final approval;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the economic and regional connectivity loss to northern and central Tamil Nadu due to these delays and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  or  approve  additional scheduled  services  from  Salem  to  Chennai  and  Madurai  to  meet  rising passenger demand and if so, the details thereof along with the timelines fixed in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a)  and  (b):  Under  the  Regional  Connectivity  Scheme  -  Ude  Desh  ka  Aam Nagrik  (RCS-UDAN),  Vellore  and  Neyveli  airports  in  Tamil  Nadu  were identified for development and operation of RCS flights. The development work at both airports has been completed.

For Vellore Airport, Airports Authority of India (AAI) submitted the application  for  issuance  of  Aerodrome  License  on  27.03.2023.  Directorate General  of  Civil  Aviation  (DGCA)  conducted  inspections  of  Vellore  Airport during  26th  -  28th  February,  2024  and  11th  December,  2025  to  review compliance.  At  present,  final  security  vetting  by  Bureau  of  Civil  Aviation Security (BCAS), which is an essential requirement for issuance of Aerodrome License, is pending.

For  Neyveli  Airport,  M/s  NLC  India  Limited  submitted  the  application  for issuance of Aerodrome License on 20.10.2023. DGCA conducted inspections of Neyveli Airport during 20th - 22nd November, 2024 and 29th - 30th January, 2026  to  review  compliance.  At  present,  final  security  vetting  by  BCAS  and installation of Meteorological (MET) instruments are pending.

Licensing of any airport is subject to compliance of safety and security related requirements.

(c):  The  development  and  operationalisation  of  airports  is  undertaken  in accordance with prescribed regulatory and safety requirements with a view to enhancing  regional  air  connectivity.  The  Government  also  engages  with  the concerned  stakeholders  from  time  to  time  to  facilitate  the  development  and operationalisation  of  airports  in  compliance  with  the  applicable  regulatory framework.

(d): With the repeal of Air Corporations Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation was deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type, free to select whatever markets and network they wish to service. Hence, it is upto the airline operators to introduce air services to / from any airport in the country depending on their operational & commercial viability.

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