Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Parandur Villagers Celebrate Dropped Airport Project After Prolonged Protests
The government had planned to build a large airport near Parandur and Eganapuram.
The project would have used land in 13 villages.
Many villagers opposed it because they feared losing farms, water bodies and homes.
They protested for 1,100 days.
Their gram sabhas also passed resolutions against the plan 16 times.
TVK leader Vijay later joined their cause and promised to cancel the project if elected.
After becoming Chief Minister, he announced that the airport project would be dropped.
The villagers celebrated by holding meetings, sharing sweets and bursting firecrackers.
Residents of Parandur and Eganapuram celebrated the Chief Minister’s announcement dropping the airport project.
The planned airport would have covered 5,300 acres across 13 villages.
Villagers said the project threatened water bodies, agricultural land and their settlements.
Protests continued for 1,100 days, while gram sabhas passed 16 resolutions opposing the project.
Celebrations included street gatherings, slogans, meetings, sweet distribution and firecrackers.
- Who
- Villagers of Parandur and Eganapuram, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, and the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam.
- What
- The government dropped the proposed Parandur airport project, prompting celebrations in the affected villages.
- When
- The announcement and celebrations took place on Monday; the project had been announced in 2022.
- Where
- Parandur and Eganapuram villages in Kanchipuram district, near Chennai.
- Why
- Villagers opposed the project because they said it would affect water bodies and agricultural land and erase their settlements.
- Planned airport area
- 5,300 acres
- Villages affected by the plan
- 13 villages
- Duration of protests
- 1,100 days
- Gram sabha resolutions
- 16 resolutions opposing the project
- Project announcement
- The airport was announced in 2022
- Celebration activities
- Street gatherings, slogans, meetings, sweet distribution and firecrackers