Tamil Nadu drops Parandur airport project, selects new site

What Happened

In a decision announced to the Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 24, 2026, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay said the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district would be dropped. An alternative site would be identified after expert study, with emphasis on minimizing agricultural land and residential disruption. The government also indicated work would proceed to expand Chennai's existing Meenambakkam airport, including the construction of Terminal 5 in the north-western area and related infrastructure to support higher passenger traffic.

Why It Matters

The shift away from Parandur reflects political and social considerations, notably opposition from local farmers and residents. Officials stressed the need to pursue aviation capacity expansion while safeguarding livelihoods and farmland, signaling a recalibrated approach to Chennai’s aviation infrastructure in the near term.

Background

The Parandur site had been under consideration for a greenfield international airport, with the Civil Aviation Ministry granting in-principle approval in 2025. The project encompassed a large land area around Parandur and nearby villages and involved oversight by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation. Local protests and concerns over land use had persisted for months prior to the new decision. In the wake of the Parandur decision, the government outlined a plan to develop Terminal 5 at Meenambakkam and to study alternative sites for a future airport with minimal social and environmental disruption.

Key Facts

• Parandur airport project to be dropped by the Tamil Nadu government; alternative site to be identified after technical feasibility studies.
• Current Chennai airport (Meenambakkam) handles about 30 million passengers annually; Terminal 3 will raise capacity to 35 million; Terminal 5 planned to push capacity to 55 million after completion.
• The Parandur project covered about 5,320 acres, with a large share of private land; the government sought sites with minimal impact on farmland and livelihoods.
• The plan to develop Terminal 5 and related infrastructure at Meenambakkam was announced as part of the broader aviation expansion strategy.

What Happens Next

Authorities will finalize an alternate site for a new airport following feasibility assessments and consultations with relevant departments. A formal timeline for the new site selection and construction milestones has not been provided, but the government signaled continued expansion of Chennai’s aviation capacity in the interim through Terminal 5 at Meenambakkam.