The long-running controversy over the proposed Parandur airport near Chennai has taken a new turn after the Tamil Nadu government decided to cancel the project. The proposed greenfield airport had faced sustained opposition from local farmers and residents, who raised concerns over the impact on fertile agricultural land, water bodies and the environment.
Parandur is located around 70 kilometres from Chennai. The proposed airport was planned as a major new aviation facility to address the city's growing air traffic requirements and provide an alternative to the existing airport.
However, the project became a major local issue after residents and farmers began protesting against the proposed land acquisition and the possible impact on agricultural areas and water resources.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had supported the local movement against the project. The issue was also prominently raised by Vijay before the Assembly elections. After coming to power, his government decided to withdraw the steps related to establishing the airport at Parandur.
Vijay Says Development Cannot Come at Farmers' Cost
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Vijay said the government was withdrawing the proposed Parandur airport plan and firmly stood with those who had been protesting against the project.
He acknowledged that airports are important for industrial and economic development, but argued that development should not take place at the cost of farmers' welfare.
Vijay also referred to a meeting held in Vikravandi in October 2024. He said the government was withdrawing all steps related to establishing the airport at Parandur in order to fulfil the commitment made to the people.
The decision marks a significant shift in the government's approach to the proposed airport and provides relief to residents who had opposed the project for a long period.
DMK Challenges the Government
The cancellation has not ended the political dispute. Instead, the decision has triggered a fresh confrontation between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK.
The DMK, led by former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has challenged the Vijay government to make public the files related to the project and explain the decisions taken during the previous government.
Senior DMK leader Duraimurugan said the opposition could move a privilege motion in the Assembly if the Chief Minister did not make the relevant files public.
The opposition has questioned the government's handling of the issue and said the documents connected with the project should be placed in the public domain. The political dispute is therefore expected to continue even after the cancellation of the airport proposal.
Government Still Considering Alternative Locations
Although the Parandur site has been dropped, the need for a new airport for Chennai has not necessarily been abandoned.
Soon after coming to power, the Vijay government had indicated that it would review the site identified for the proposed greenfield airport. TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar had also said that the project was being reviewed with the protection of local water bodies and fertile agricultural land in mind.
This suggests that the government may continue to examine alternative locations for a future airport rather than abandoning the broader requirement for a new aviation facilit Project Had Received In-Principle Approval
The proposed Parandur airport had received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in April 2025. The project was planned in the Parandur area of Kancheepuram district.
The proposed facility was intended to address Chennai's growing aviation demand. However, concerns surrounding agricultural land, water bodies and environmental impact kept the project at the centre of public debate.
With the Tamil Nadu government's decision to cancel the project, local farmers and residents opposing the proposal have received a major boost. At the same time, the decision has opened another political front between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK.
.jpeg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
-1783504412913_v.webp)
.webp)
.jpeg)
