Sabarimala International Airport Project Clears Final Review, Secures Approval for Union Ministry Submission

The government of Kerala has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed Sabarimala international airport at Cheruvally, near Pathanamthitta, to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, meeting the Centre's July 12 deadline. A final review meeting, attended by key officials, cleared the DPR on July 2, paving the way for the airport's proposed greenfield infrastructure. The project's estimated total cost stands at Rs 7,047 crore, with a construction cost of Rs 5,377 crore and land acquisition expenses of Rs 2,408 crore.

Key Takeaways:

• The proposed Sabarimala international airport will feature a 3,500-m runway and a 3,500-m taxi track, accommodating a mix of aircraft types, including two Code E and three Code C aircraft or up to seven Code C aircraft simultaneously.
• The terminal design includes two multiple apron ramp system aerobridges capable of handling either four Code C or two Code E aircraft simultaneously, with Boeing 777-300ER (Code E) selected as the reference design aircraft.
• The passenger terminal building will have a built-up area of 54,000sq m and an annual handling capacity of 7 million passengers, with a dedicated 1,200sq m cargo terminal for freight handling.
• A total of 2,408 acres will be needed for the airport project, with 950 acres owned by the proposed airport company and 400 acres commercially leased to the company for development.
• The estimated construction cost, excluding land acquisition expenses, is Rs 5,377 crore, while the cost of acquiring land is estimated at Rs 2,408 crore, making the total project cost Rs 7,047 crore.
• The financial model is based on a debt-equity ratio of 1.22:1, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 15.31% and an equity IRR of 15.71%.
• If approved, the Sabarimala airport would become Kerala's fifth international airport, joining the ranks of Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Kannur.

Statistics:

• 3,500-m runway and 3,500-m taxi track will be part of the proposed greenfield airport
• 54,000sq m is the built-up area of the passenger terminal building
• 7 million passengers will be the annual handling capacity of the terminal building
• 1,200sq m is the area dedicated to the cargo terminal
• 2,408 acres is the total land needed for the airport project
• Rs 5,377 crore is the estimated construction cost (excluding land acquisition expenses)
• Rs 2,408 crore is the estimated cost of acquiring land
• Rs 7,047 crore is the total project cost (including land acquisition expenses)
• 1.22:1 is the debt-equity ratio
• 15.31% is the internal rate of return (IRR)
• 15.71% is the equity IRR

Sources:

• KP.Saikiran@timesofindia.com