The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has requested a revised corporate environmental responsibility (CER) proposal and additional clarifications before making a final decision on granting environmental clearance (EC) for the ambitious expansion and modernisation of the T2 terminal at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
According to the minutes of the committee meeting, SEAC noted that a coastal study conducted by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies confirmed that 19.05 hectares of the airport area falls within CRZ-II limits. The Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority has already issued its recommendation for the project.
However, after detailed scrutiny, the committee concluded that the CER proposal submitted by the project proponent was not satisfactory. SEAC directed Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited (TIAL) to submit a revised CER plan in line with prevailing norms and provide clarification regarding excavation and transfer of ordinary earth, if required, before further consideration of the EC application.
The proposal was considered during the 209th meeting of SEAC-1 held on May 22 and 23. According to the proposal, the airport expansion aims to substantially increase the facility’s capacity, raising passenger handling capability to 27 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and cargo handling capacity to 0.42 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to meet future aviation demand. The airport, originally granted EC in 2005 under the Airports Authority of India, came under Adani management as an operator following a 50-year concession agreement signed in January 2021.
The master plan includes the comprehensive redevelopment and upgrading of Terminal 2, new forecourts, commercial utility areas, a multilevel car parking facility capable of accommodating 3,510 vehicles, and a dedicated cargo complex spread across 1.641 hectares. The project also requires an additional 6.88 hectares of land for DGCA safety compliance and infrastructure expansion. The work on airside development has already started, and ULCCS secured the contract.
The total built-up area proposed under the expansion is 5.52 lakh square metres, with an estimated investment of Rs 8,707 crore. The project plans to increase potable water demand to 8.95 million litres per day, while wastewater generated during operations will be treated through a new 6.2 MLD sewage treatment plant, enabling 100% recycling for horticulture, flushing, and HVAC requirements.
The airport operator also proposed sustainability measures, including a transition to 100% green electricity by FY27, enhanced solar power generation, and adherence to Energy Conservation Building Code standards. A public hearing conducted by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board in August 2025 recorded concerns related to land acquisition, possible pollution of the Parvathy Puthanar canal, tree felling, and local employment opportunities.
