Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay speaks in the course of the state Legislative Meeting session, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. (file photograph)
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@tamilnaduassembly/YT by way of PTI Picture
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led Tamil Nadu authorities has dropped the plans for a brand new ₹27,400 crore greenfield airport at Parandur following resistance from native villagers.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday made the official announcement within the State Meeting that the mission, which was proposed by the earlier authorities has been deserted, with the federal government looking for to keep away from the displacement of residents and lack of agricultural land.
Vijay stated he went in particular person to the mission web site and warranted the villagers of his help. At a political rally in Vikravandi, he introduced stated {that a} new airport shouldn’t be constructed at Parandur and had referred to as for the mission to be shifted to a different location. The federal government is now analyzing just a few different websites that would accommodate the airport with out considerably affecting residential areas and agricultural lands.
The transfer marks a departure from the sooner proposal to develop the airport at Parandur, which had attracted opposition from residents and farmers over issues about land acquisition and its affect on agricultural exercise.
New places eyed
Just a few places have been recognized for consideration, and officers are analyzing their suitability based mostly on land availability, connectivity, environmental affect and the extent of displacement concerned.
The federal government is predicted to finalise the placement after finishing the evaluation of the shortlisted websites, he stated.
The proposed second airport is geared toward assembly Chennai’s long-term development in passenger and cargo visitors and increasing the town’s aviation infrastructure.
The shift away from Parandur is prone to delay the mission’s site-selection course of however may assist the federal government handle one of many main issues surrounding the sooner proposal — its affect on farmland and residential settlements.
Talking on the Meeting, Vijay stated farmers across the area of Parandur have objected to the programme on condition that it objects their livelihood.. I’m standing agency with the farmers and you will need to safeguard their pursuits. “I’m nicely conscious of the necessity for airports for industrial improvement however we have to choose a brand new location for Parandur airport. We’ve mentioned with officers.. Parandur airport mission is being dropped by this Govt; we’ll talk about with specialists and discover new spots ‘quickly’ with out disturbing farmers livelihoods.”
Vijay stated Meenambakkam terminal 5 enlargement can be pursued in affiliation with the Airports Authority of India.
Mired in controversy
“It’s a extreme set again for the airport infrastructure enchancment initiative of Tamil Nadu,” stated J Krishnan of Chennai-based S Natesa Iyer Logistics LLP.
“Proper from the land identification, Parandur has been embroiled in controversy. Making a state of artwork infrastructure has been deserted with hardened positions. The present choice seems to be made with out figuring out a viable time sure different possibility,” he stated. “We glance ahead to an expedited answer to propel the sates financial objectives firmly within the image,” he added.
Mohan Ranganathan, an aviation security guide, stated: “It’s good that they’ve deserted Parandur. It could have been a catastrophe for Chennai metropolis throughout floods. They need to select websites which can be secure not simply from actual property angle but in addition from aviation security angle.”
The earlier DMK authorities had accelerated land acquisition, securing greater than 2,500 acres out of the 5,746 acres required for the proposed airport in Kancheepuram district, with compensation considerably above market charges.
The prevailing Chennai airport presently handles greater than 2.2 crore passengers yearly. As soon as the continued modernisation works finish, capability is predicted to rise to three.5 crore passengers a 12 months, adequate for less than the subsequent seven years- roughly the timeline by which the Parandur airport is predicted to be operational.
The proposed Parandur airport was designed to deal with as much as 10 crore passengers yearly and can embrace two runways, terminal buildings, taxiways, an apron and a cargo terminal.
Reacting to the federal government’s choice, CII has referred to as for strengthening Chennai airport and fast-tracking another Greenfield airport. “An airport is way over a chunk of transport infrastructure; for a capital metropolis and financial powerhouse like Chennai, it’s a strategic enabler of financial development, international competitiveness, commerce, tourism, funding, and job creation,” stated Ravichandran Purushothaman, the Chairman of CII Southern Area.
Printed on August 24, 2026
