Tamil Nadu scraps Parandur airport plan, shifts to alternatives

What Happened

The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, announced in the state Assembly that it would abandon the steps to establish a new international airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district. The decision was framed as a response to protests by residents and concerns about agricultural land and local livelihoods. The government indicated it would identify and evaluate alternative locations for a second airport to serve Chennai, with feasibility studies to follow.

Why It Matters

The move ends a prolonged, politically charged effort to locate a second Chennai airport at Parandur, a project that had faced organized resistance and environmental scrutiny. By shifting to alternative sites, the administration aims to balance industrial and aviation growth with concerns over land acquisition and displacement, while maintaining momentum on increasing airport capacity for Chennai.

Background

The Parandur proposal covered about 5,746 acres in the district and had been pursued for years as a greenfield airport project intended to supplement Chennai's Meenambakkam airport, which was described as having capacity for about 30 million passengers annually. The project faced opposition from villagers in Ekanapuram and nearby villages since 2022, with protesters highlighting land acquisition and displacement concerns. Prior steps included formal in-principle approval in 2025 from the Civil Aviation Ministry for setting up an International Greenfield Airport at Parandur, and substantial land acquisitions by TIDCO prior to the decision to abandon Parandur. The government noted that after consultations with officials and experts, alternative locations would be explored to minimize agricultural land and residential disruption.

Key Facts

• Parandur airport was a proposed greenfield project in Kancheepuram district covering about 5,746 acres.
• The Meenambakkam airport is stated to have a capacity of 30 million passengers per year.
• Protests against Parandur began in 2022, centered on land acquisition and displacement of residents in Parandur and surrounding villages.
• In-principle approval for Parandur had been granted by the Civil Aviation Ministry in 2025 before the abandonment was announced.
• Previous government land acquisition under the Parandur plan involved acquiring roughly 1,700 acres of the total 5,746 acres, with about 1,500 acres being government land prior to the abandonment.
• The decision to abandon Parandur was framed as fulfilling a promise to protesters and aligning with consultations conducted with officials and experts.

What Happens Next

The government said it would identify a few suitable alternative locations for a new airport to be developed without causing as much disruption to farmland and residential settlements. Technical feasibility studies are expected to follow, and the final site is to be decided after those studies.