Flight services began in Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) airport by 1936 and the Royal airforce of the British used the airport during World War II. In 1941, the airport commenced operations to accommodate commercial flights. The airport was primarily used as a customs airport for the import and export of goods to foreign countries until 2011. It received international status from the Civil Aviation Ministry of India in October 2012.
In 2009, the government began work to undertake expansion of the airport, which was to be done in phases. In January 2024, The Airports Authority of India (AAI) as part of Rs 1,112 crore expansion of Tiruchirapalli International airport upgraded the passenger handling capacity from 1.7 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 4.45 MPPA with inauguration of new integrated passenger terminal building with the existing land owned by AAI.
State approved 300 acres of land acquisition process
Being one of the busiest international airports in India with shortest runway, AAI also plans to extend the existing 8,000-foot runway to 12,500 feet, enabling it to handle larger, wide-bodied aircraft, for safe landing and improve passenger and cargo capacity as part of the expansion.
Initially, the AAI had sought around 600 acres for the expansion. In 2017, the state government approved the land acquisition process including 300 acres of agricultural land, government Poramboku land (common) and settlements. In the same year thousands of residents, whose land was to be acquired, had staged a series of protests.
A resident near the Trichy-Pudukottai highway, whose land was proposed for the airport expansion, told Land Conflict Watch that they remain unclear on whether it is part of the project. This uncertainty has reportedly stalled house development for residents in Pattathammal Street and Ambedkar Nagar.
Airport expansion may lead to longer detour
The farmers of the region, particularly of Keezhakurichi and Nathamadipatti villages had opposed the acquisition of agricultural land and the construction of the project, saying it would affect their livelihoods. Residents also contended that the airport expansion would leave them without a direct link road to the city as the Nathamadipatti-Golden Rock Road is the main access to the city. This will be closed down once the land is taken over by the AAI, and people will be forced to take a very long detour. Until 2019, 27 persons approached the courts against acquisition of land although district officials have claimed that the people have agreed to give up their lands for the compensation.
Madras HC ordered access to road
By October 2024, the Tamil Nadu government had acquired 90 percent of the 512 acres identified for the airport expansion, including 167 acres transferred by the defence authorities to the AAI. The AAI also approached the Water Resources Department (WRD) to acquire water bodies, including a major irrigation canal.
In March 2026, affected farmers, led by Ayyakannu and members of the National South Indian Rivers Interlinking Farmers Association, staged a protest at the Water Resource Department in Trichy, demanding alternative land or fair compensation. In a related case, the Madras High Court ordered a technical feasibility study and directed that an access road connecting the area to the city be provided.
Meanwhile, the AAI has floated a tender to privatise the Tiruchirappalli International Airport for National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0. (NMP 2.0) along with 10 other non-metro airports.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Refusal to give up land for the project
Demand for compensation
Demand for better access to common land/resources
Demand for rehabilitation
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Urban and Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
2023
Whether the Project has been Delayed
No
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
800
Type of investment:
Investment Expected
Year of Estimation
2004
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Land Acquisition Laws, Land Acquisition Laws, Land Acquisition Laws, Land Acquisition Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Constitutional inconsistencies between state and Union land laws
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Madras High court
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
No
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Revenue Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Airport Authority of India (AAI)
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Confederation of India Industries, Air, Rail and Road Travellers Federation
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Residents of Keezhakurichi village
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
