Tamil Nadu Scraps Parandur Airport Project

The Tamil Nadu government has defended its decision to abandon the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur, rejecting opposition claims that the project was nearly complete. According to the government, only 1,802 acres of land had been acquired out of the required 5,846 acres, with several villages still untouched by the acquisition process.

The government maintained that the project was far from implementation, with several mandatory environmental clearances yet to be obtained. The proposed location has several water bodies, and an environmental impact assessment (EIA) had not been conducted. The project had also not received the required environmental clearance.

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the withdrawal from the project, citing the need to protect agricultural land and the livelihoods of local residents. The project had faced sustained opposition from farmers and residents, who had protested over land acquisition, loss of agricultural livelihoods, and the potential impact on wetlands and water bodies.

The proposed airport, estimated to cost over ₹27,000 crore, was envisioned as Chennai's second airport in Kancheepuram district. It had received in-principle approval from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation in April 2025 under the previous DMK government.

The state government has clarified that it remains committed to developing a second airport for Chennai but does not want to pursue the Parandur site at the cost of agricultural land and water bodies. Alternative locations are now being explored, and the government plans to expand the existing Chennai airport at Meenambakkam, including the proposed development of a new Terminal 5.

The DMK has criticised the decision to scrap the Parandur project, describing it as an “irreversible setback” to Tamil Nadu's industrial growth and development. However, the government argues that proceeding with the airport without addressing environmental concerns could have affected agricultural land, water resources, and the livelihoods of residents in the surrounding areas.

The decision to scrap the Parandur airport project has significant implications for the state's aviation sector and economic development. While the government's commitment to protecting agricultural land and the environment is commendable, the opposition's concerns about the impact on industrial growth and development cannot be ignored.

In the coming months, the state government will need to balance its commitment to environmental protection with the need to develop a second airport for Chennai. The expansion of the existing Chennai airport and the exploration of alternative locations for a new airport will be crucial in addressing the city's growing aviation demand.

The Tamil Nadu government's decision to scrap the Parandur airport project is a significant development in the state's aviation sector. As the government moves forward with alternative plans, it will be important to monitor the progress and ensure that the needs of all stakeholders, including farmers, residents, and industrialists, are taken into account.

In conclusion, the Tamil Nadu government's decision to scrap the Parandur airport project is a complex issue with significant implications for the state's environment, economy, and aviation sector. While the government's commitment to protecting agricultural land and the environment is commendable, the opposition's concerns about the impact on industrial growth and development cannot be ignored. As the government moves forward with alternative plans, it will be important to balance the needs of all stakeholders and ensure that the development of a second airport for Chennai is done in a sustainable and responsible manner.