Archive · 24 Aug 2026
DMK Walks Out After Parandur Airport Project Scrapped
The Tamil Nadu government decided not to build a new airport at Parandur.
The chief minister said this was done to protect farmers.
The government plans to look for another place for the airport.
The opposition DMK wanted to discuss the decision in the Assembly.
The Speaker said the rules did not allow a debate immediately after the chief minister’s statement.
DMK members then left the Assembly in protest.
The DMK said the airport was important for Chennai’s businesses and industries.
It also said much of the land had already been acquired and paid for.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced that Tamil Nadu would abandon the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur.
The government said the decision was made in the interest of farmers and that an alternative site would be identified.
DMK member E V Velu sought a debate, but Speaker J C D Prabhakar refused under Assembly Rule 55.
DMK legislators walked out, saying they were denied a democratic right to discuss the policy change.
Former minister Thangam Thennarasu said abandoning the project could harm Chennai’s industrial growth after about 90% of land had reportedly been acquired.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the opposition DMK, Speaker J C D Prabhakar, and former minister Thangam Thennarasu.
- What
- The government dropped the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project, prompting a DMK walkout from the Assembly.
- When
- Monday.
- Where
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai; the proposed airport site is at Parandur near Chennai.
- Why
- The government cited the interests of farmers, while the DMK argued that the project was important for regional industrial and economic growth.
Government Position
DMK Position
Reason for dropping the project
Government Position
The government said it was abandoning the Parandur airport project in the interest of farmers and would identify an alternative site.
DMK Position
The DMK opposed the decision and described abandoning the project after land acquisition as illogical and harmful.
Assembly debate
Government Position
The Speaker said Assembly Rule 55 does not permit a debate or detailed explanation immediately after a chief minister or minister makes a statement, though the issue could be raised during the department’s demand for grants.
DMK Position
The DMK said the Speaker denied its democratic right to speak and that it had already submitted a call-attention motion on the project.
Economic importance
Government Position
The government’s announcement focused on farmers and did not provide a further justification in the article.
DMK Position
Thangam Thennarasu said the airport was vital to Chennai, the Sriperumbudur industrial hub, and Tamil Nadu’s passenger and cargo traffic.
- Project
- Proposed greenfield airport at Parandur
- Government decision
- The project was dropped and an alternative site will be identified
- Government rationale
- The decision was made in the interest of farmers
- Assembly rule cited
- Speaker J C D Prabhakar invoked Rule 55 to deny an immediate debate
- Land acquisition
- Thangam Thennarasu claimed nearly 90% of the required land had been acquired and compensation disbursed
- DMK concern
- The party said abandoning the airport could hurt Chennai’s industrial and economic growth
- Regional concern
- Thennarasu warned Tamil Nadu could lose passenger and cargo traffic to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh