Trichy's new ATC tower to be functional by 2027

TRICHY: The new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at Trichy International Airport is expected to become operational in 2027 after construction is completed and mandatory safety clearances are obtained from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airport director SS Raju said on Saturday.The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has secured a no-objection certificate (NOC) to increase the tower's height from the originally planned 46m to 53m, improving visibility of the runway and other critical operational areas."Civil work will be fast-tracked, and we will expedite the commissioning of the new tower," Raju said.AAl has allocated Rs 60 crore for the ATC tower-cum-technical block project. Construction was halted in September 2025 after authorities found that certain areas near the runway were not visible from the proposed tower.The revised height is expected to provide a 360-degree view of the airfield. including sections affected by the runway extension.On the future of the old terminal building, which was va cated after operations shifted to the New Integrated Passenger Terminal Building (NIPTB) in June 2024, Raju said a proposal to repurpose the facility was in its final stage."The proposal is in the final stage. Soon, a decision will be taken by the headquarters to repurpose the building," he said.

Options under consideration include cargo operations, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and commercial activities such as a hotel or multiplex.Raju said aircraft movements at Trichy airport increased by 94.5% over the past 12 years, from 9,694 in 2014-15 to 18,858 in 2025-26.