Three locations have been identified in the Tiruchi airport complex for installing the advanced radar and the site identified near the solar power plant is likely to be chosen.
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A Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar will soon be installed at the Tiruchi International Airport complex by the Airports Authority of India.The installation of the radar, which would monitor the movement of aircraft up to about 200 nautical miles, will significantly enhance air traffic management and aviation safety in the region. At present, feeds are obtained from the surveillance radars in Thiruvanathapuram and Chennai, sources in the Tiruchi Airport told The Hindu.The initiative is in the preliminary stages and construction of the necessary building and procurement of equipment would follow soon. The project could entail an approximate investment of ₹50 crore approximately, the sources indicated.According to the sources, three locations have been identified in the airport complex for installing the radar and it may be installed at the site identified near the solar power plant in the complex.MP flags concernWelcoming the move, Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko, however, appealed to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu to take steps to minimise the impact on development activities, in terms of height restrictions of buildings, around the airport because of the installation of the radar.“It is understood that the location of the proposed radar is likely to impose substantial height restrictions on buildings in the surrounding areas. Earlier, height clearances of up to 35 metres were being granted for development projects. The proposed radar installation may reduce the permissible building height to around 14 metres in several areas falling within its influence zone, “ he said.The development, he said, had raised concern among stakeholders as a number of ongoing and proposed commercial projects, particularly hotels and other high value investments, are likely to be adversely affected. “The reduced height clearance may constrain future urban development and infrastructure growth in Tiruchi city, which is emerging as an important economic, educational, and tourism hub in Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Durai Vaiko said in a representation submitted to the Minister in New Delhi on Thursday.Seeking the intervention of the Minister, Mr. Durai Vaiko said the radar might be installed at a suitable alternative site. Else, the height of the structure on which the radar was to be installed can be increased to minimise its impact on development in surrounding areas.“Any suitable technical solution that would enable a minimum building height clearance of around 25 metres in the affected areas may kindly be explored while ensuring aviation safety requirements are fully met. Such a measure would help strike a balance between aviation infrastructure development and the city’s long-term urban growth aspirations,” Mr. Durai Vaiko told the Minister. Published - June 04, 2026 06:53 pm IST
