Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 (IANS) Even though the state's proposed Vizhinjam port hangs fire, the Kerala capital's international airport will get a facelift when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lays the foundation stone for its expansion.

"An all party delegation was in Delhi early this week and we discussed Vizhinjam. But the prime minister said he would have a re-look into the denial of security clearance for it. He would however be here either this month or the next to lay the foundation stone for the airport expansion," state Law Minister M. Vijaykumar told reporters Saturday.

The expansion of the international airport got delayed for several years and successive state governments tried in vain to acquire the required land initially.

After land acquisition, funds were a problem but it was got over after the recent all-party meeting with the prime minister, he said.

Originally meant for about 300,000 passengers annually, the facilities at the 1985-built airport terminal are appalling. Nearly two million passengers use the airport now.

In the international sector including Air India and Indian, national carriers of six countries operate close to 80 flights every week from here.

According to an airport official, the new expansion plans would cost Rs.2.45 billion, of which Rs.1 billion would be for a new cargo terminal.