Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Parandur Airport Cancellation Sparks Political Storm for Second Day
The government decided not to build a new airport at Parandur.
People who protested against the airport celebrated the decision.
They feared losing farms, homes and jobs connected to the land.
They also said the project could damage lakes, ponds, canals and other water sources.
They worried that it could affect birds visiting the Vedanthangal sanctuary.
Protest leader Subramanian accused some DMK leaders of buying land to make money from the project.
DMK lawmakers said cancelling the airport could slow industrial growth.
The government said the land already acquired could be used for other development.
Politicians also exchanged allegations about land deals and a possible new airport location.
The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to scrap the proposed Parandur greenfield airport triggered debate inside and outside the Assembly.
Protest leader Subramanian accused DMK leaders of investing in local land to profit from the airport project.
DMK legislators S Austin and Thangam Thenarasu warned that cancellation could harm Tamil Nadu’s industrial growth.
The industries minister said 1,700 acres already acquired would be used for other development projects.
Protesters said cancellation protected farmland, livelihoods, water bodies, the Kamban Canal and bird habitats.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government, Parandur protest committee members led by Subramanian, DMK and AIADMK politicians, and Assembly ministers and legislators.
- What
- The proposed Parandur greenfield airport was scrapped, prompting political debate over economic development, land acquisition and environmental effects.
- When
- The controversy continued for a second day; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The dispute took place in Parandur, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat in Chennai.
- Why
- The government announced plans to find an alternative site for Chennai’s second airport, while protesters opposed the project’s expected effects on farmland, livelihoods and water bodies.
Supporters of Cancellation
Supporters of the Airport Project
Environmental and livelihood effects
Supporters of Cancellation
Protesters said cancelling the project would protect agricultural land, livelihoods, lakes, ponds, water sources, the Kamban Canal and bird visits to Vedanthangal sanctuary.
Supporters of the Airport Project
DMK legislators emphasized the airport’s development potential and did not support the protesters’ argument that cancellation was necessary.
Economic consequences
Supporters of Cancellation
The protest committee and the industries minister said the land could support other development projects after the airport was dropped.
Supporters of the Airport Project
DMK MLA S Austin and former Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu said scrapping the project could hurt industrial growth in Tamil Nadu.
Land acquisition and alleged interests
Supporters of Cancellation
Subramanian rejected Thangam Thenarasu’s earlier claim that 90 percent of the required land had been acquired, saying 1,700 acres was not 90 percent of 5,740 acres. He also alleged that DMK leaders invested in local land for expected profits.
Supporters of the Airport Project
Thangam Thenarasu had claimed that 90 percent of the required land was acquired. Sport Minister Aadhav Arjuna alleged that dropping the project prevented a major land scam, while Thenarasu questioned whether a new venue would benefit a son-in-law and a leading businessman.
- Land acquired
- About 1,700 acres had been acquired during the previous four years.
- Planned acquisition
- The airport project was earmarked to require 5,740 acres.
- Agricultural land cited
- Protesters said the project threatened 2,500 acres of Nanjai land and 1,300 acres of Punjai land.
- Water bodies
- The earmarked region included 12 lakes, 17 ponds and 17 other water sources, according to Subramanian.
- Canal and lake concerns
- Protesters said construction could destroy the 1,100-year-old Kamban Canal and block water flow into Chembarambakkam Lake.
- Government’s land-use plan
- Industries Minister S Keerthana said the acquired land would be used for other development projects.
- Proposed road name
- Protesters proposed naming a main road in Eganapuram ‘Thalapathi C Joseph Vijay Road.’
