6 days ago
Parandur Airport Scrap Sparks Tamil Nadu ‘Sons-In-Law’ Battle
Tamil Nadu’s government decided not to build the planned airport at Parandur.
Many farmers had opposed the airport because it could displace families and damage farmland and water bodies.
Chief Minister Vijay had earlier promised protesting farmers that he would stop the project if elected.
The government now wants to expand Chennai airport and find another location.
Ministers say the Parandur land could instead support industries and jobs.
They also warn that damaging local canals and water bodies could increase Chennai’s flood risk.
The opposition says cancelling the project could hurt investment and development.
During the Assembly debate, politicians traded accusations involving two political sons-in-law, making the argument unusually personal.
Tamil Nadu’s ruling TVK government has scrapped the proposed Parandur airport project after years of opposition from affected farmers.
Law Minister Nirmal Kumar accused the earlier DMK government of advancing the project to benefit people who invested “black money” near the site.
DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu responded by referring to a possible benefit for the “Lottery Mapillai,” linked to Minister Aadhaav Arjuna’s family.
The government cited displacement, fertile farmland and water bodies, while proposing a fifth Chennai airport terminal and a search for another site.
The DMK warned that cancelling the delayed project could hurt Tamil Nadu’s development, investment prospects and infrastructure plans.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu’s TVK government, Chief Minister Vijay, the opposition DMK, affected farmers and Assembly legislators.
- What
- The government scrapped the proposed Parandur airport project and plans to expand Chennai airport while identifying another site.
- Where
- Parandur, Tamil Nadu, near Chennai; the political exchange occurred in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
- When
- The decision and debate took place during the reported Tamil Nadu Assembly proceedings; Vijay had promised to stop the project after launching his party.
- Why
- The government cited displacement, fertile agricultural land, water bodies and possible flood risks, while the DMK argued that cancellation could damage development and investment.
Government and Project Opponents
DMK Opposition
Environmental impact and displacement
Government and Project Opponents
The government supports scrapping Parandur because the project could displace families, destroy fertile agricultural land and damage water bodies that help manage water flows.
DMK Opposition
The DMK criticised the cancellation and maintained that abandoning the already delayed airport project could undermine development, without accepting the government’s stated alternative as sufficient.
Development and investment
Government and Project Opponents
The government says the acquired land can support alternative industries, economic development and jobs, while a different airport site could avoid large-scale displacement.
DMK Opposition
The DMK warned that uncertainty and cancellation of major infrastructure projects could discourage investors and push them toward neighbouring states.
Political accusations
Government and Project Opponents
Law Minister Nirmal Kumar alleged that the earlier DMK regime promoted the project to benefit people who had invested “black money” near the proposed site.
DMK Opposition
Thangam Thennarasu rejected the implication and questioned whether a replacement airport site might benefit the family associated with “Lottery Mapillai,” a reference to Aadhaav Arjuna.
Key facts
- Project status
- The proposed Parandur airport project has been scrapped by the ruling TVK government.
- Main opposition
- Farmers opposed the project because it could displace families and affect agricultural land and water bodies.
- Government alternative
- The government plans to add a fifth terminal at Chennai airport and identify another airport site.
- Environmental concern
- The government said local canals help move water toward Chembarambakkam Lake and the Adyar river, and their destruction could increase Chennai’s flood risk.
- Land-use proposal
- Industries Minister S Keerthana said acquired land could be used for alternative industrial purposes and employment.
- Political dispute
- Law Minister Nirmal Kumar used “G Square Mapillai,” while DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu responded with “Lottery Mapillai.”
- Opposition criticism
- The DMK said cancelling the delayed project could harm Tamil Nadu’s development and investment prospects.
Quotes
S Keerthana
Tamil Nadu Industries Minister defending alternative uses for land acquired for the airport project.
“This is a fertile agricultural land where there is cultivation even if there is no rain. There are also two canals. These water bodies release pressure and pump waters on their own into Chembarambakkam Lake and river Adyar. If we destroy these, there are many possibilities for Chennai city to get flooded”
NDTV
“We will use the acquired land for alternate industrial purposes without affecting the people. There will be industrial and economic development besides employment opportunities.”
NDTV
Sources
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