In order to revamp the Thoothukudi airport 586 acres of wasteland has been identified for its expansion by the state government. District revenue officer Durai Ravichandran said that the land acquisition process would commence immediately and the process would go smoothly unlike in Kancheepuram or in Coimbatore, as more than 95 percent of the land adjacent to the existing Thoothukudi airport is unsuitable for cultivation.

The land which has been identified does not have any residential colony either, he said, and added that the public enquiry would be held in Thoothukudi district collectorate on September 21. 50 acres each to build airstrips for the Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard separately at Kattalangulam village, near Thoothukudi has been identified by the state government.