Urban transport planners in Chennai are revisiting the long-debated question of how airport-linked freight moves through the city, with a fresh proposal to relocate the existing cargo terminal at the city’s primary airport. The move, now formally reiterated by the metropolitan transport authority, is aimed at easing congestion on surrounding arterial roads while unlocking operational capacity within the airport precinct.
According to officials familiar with the proposal, the plan involves shifting cargo handling facilities to the rear side of the airport campus. This would allow passenger-focused apron areas to expand and, crucially, enable the creation of a dedicated freight corridor that bypasses some of the city’s most congested stretches. The recommendation forms part of the City Logistics Plan for 2025–26, a framework that seeks to separate freight movement from daily commuter traffic wherever possible.Chennai’s airport is located within a dense urban fabric, bordered by residential neighbourhoods, commercial hubs and key road networks. Cargo trucks servicing the terminal currently share road space with buses, private vehicles and two-wheelers, contributing to bottlenecks during peak hours. Transport planners argue that relocating cargo operations and streamlining access routes could significantly reduce conflict between freight and passenger traffic.
Industry experts note that air cargo volumes in Chennai have steadily increased over the past decade, driven by electronics, pharmaceuticals, perishables and time-sensitive manufacturing supply chains. While this growth supports the regional economy, it has also intensified pressure on last-mile logistics within the city. A reconfigured cargo terminal, supported by dedicated access roads, is seen as a way to accommodate future growth without proportionately increasing congestion and emissions.The proposal also has implications for airport efficiency. By freeing up land currently occupied by cargo-related functions, the airport operator could add apron capacity for aircraft parking and ground handling. Aviation analysts point out that constrained apron space often leads to delays, especially during peak travel seasons, and limits the airport’s ability to handle additional flights.
From an urban sustainability perspective, the City Logistics Plan aligns with broader goals of reducing vehicle kilometres travelled within city limits and cutting local air pollution. Separating freight traffic from passenger corridors can lower idling time, improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise exposure for nearby communities. Urban planners also see this as an opportunity to integrate cleaner logistics solutions, including electric cargo vehicles and time-bound freight windows.However, implementation will require coordination between multiple agencies, including aviation authorities, municipal bodies and state transport departments. Land availability, funding mechanisms and environmental clearances will shape the project’s timeline. Past attempts to rationalise cargo movement around the airport have faced delays due to jurisdictional overlaps and competing priorities.
As Chennai continues to position itself as a manufacturing and logistics hub in southern India, decisions around airport cargo infrastructure will have ripple effects on real estate, mobility and public health. The next steps will involve detailed feasibility assessments and inter-agency agreements to determine whether the proposed shift can move from planning documents to on-ground execution.
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