Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced that the proposed second airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district will not be built, bringing the long-running project to a halt.
The airport project, first announced by the previous government in 2022, was estimated to cost around ₹20,000 crore and was planned to handle up to 100 million passengers annually. However, the proposal faced sustained opposition from farmers and residents over land acquisition, displacement and environmental concerns.
Why Was the Parandur Site Dropped?
One of the biggest concerns was the impact on agricultural land and water bodies. The Parandur region has several lakes and wetlands, raising concerns about the environmental consequences of constructing runways and other airport infrastructure there.
Farmers and residents had also opposed the acquisition of agricultural land, arguing that the project could affect their livelihoods and force families to relocate. Environmental groups had warned about the potential impact on the area's water resources.
Vijay Says Chennai Still Needs a Second Airport
Despite cancelling the Parandur proposal, Vijay said Chennai urgently needs another airport because of rising passenger traffic, industrial expansion and growing cargo requirements.
The existing Meenambakkam airport currently handles around 30 million passengers annually. The government plans to expand the existing facility while simultaneously searching for a more suitable location for a second airport.
Alternative Sites to Be Studied
The Tamil Nadu government has identified a few potential alternative locations. These sites will undergo scientific studies and technical feasibility assessments before a final location is selected.
The government has indicated that the new site should minimise the impact on farmers, agricultural land, water resources and local communities.
Relief for Farmers
The decision has been welcomed by residents who had protested against the Parandur project for nearly three years. Protesters described the announcement as a major victory after their prolonged campaign against land acquisition and displacement.
Environmental groups opposing the project also welcomed the decision, particularly because of concerns over the region's lakes and wetlands.
Political Debate
The decision has triggered a political controversy in Tamil Nadu. Former Chief Minister and DMK leader M.K. Stalin criticised the move, calling it an “irreversible setback” to the state's development and warning that abandoning the project could delay Chennai's infrastructure expansion.
The Vijay government, however, has defended the decision, saying development should not come at the cost of farmers' livelihoods and the environment.
