TVK government must cooperate with Centre on new airport in Tamil Nadu: BJP

BJP State unit president Nainar Nagenthran on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) said that the TVK-led government must extend cooperation to the Centre for setting up a new airport in Tamil Nadu, contending that none should stall the development of the State over political reasons.

Mr. Nagenthran said that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s government should consider the recent NITI Aayog report in this regard, and look beyond political differences. He further said that political reasons should not compromise the development of Tamil Nadu.

Referring to Minister R. Nirmalkumar’s recent observations that it would not be possible to lay a runway at the Parandur site, Mr. Nagenthran said: “Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol said that the Tamil Nadu government has not requested the Central government to change the proposed site for the greenfield airport.”

“So, on what basis did the Minister make such comments against the Parandur site? Why has the TVK government, which has been against the Parandur proposal, not chosen an alternative site? Does the TVK government have a problem with establishing an airport at Parandur or establishing a new airport in Tamil Nadu? These are some questions on the minds of the people.”

Mr. Nagenthran further urged the TVK government to extend cooperation to the Centre for setting up a new airport in Tamil Nadu, which he said would help boost the civil aviation sector in the State.