Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Shortlists Two Sites for Chennai’s Second Airport
Tamil Nadu wants to build a second airport for Chennai.
The government stopped the earlier airport plan at Parandur.
It is now considering two other places: Manellore and Cheyyur.
Manellore is about 60 kilometres from Chennai, while Cheyyur is about 100 kilometres away.
Experts from the Airports Authority of India will study both places.
They will check whether the sites are safe, connected and suitable for an airport.
The government says it wants to reduce harm to farms and homes.
Building the airport could take five to seven years after a site is chosen.
Tamil Nadu has shortlisted Manellore near Gummidipoondi and Cheyyur as alternatives for Chennai’s second airport.
The sites were identified after the government scrapped the proposed greenfield airport project at Parandur.
The Airports Authority of India will conduct feasibility assessments and recommend the more suitable location.
Cheyyur may require Ministry of Defence clearance, while both sites face technical, airspace and environmental reviews.
Construction could take at least five to seven years after a final site is selected.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the Airports Authority of India, and DMK opposition lawmakers are involved.
- What
- Manellore and Cheyyur have been shortlisted for Chennai’s proposed second airport, pending an Airports Authority of India assessment.
- When
- The alternatives were identified within about a week of the decision to drop Parandur; the feasibility report is expected within the next few months.
- Where
- Manellore is near Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district, and Cheyyur is in Chengalpattu district; the abandoned proposal was at Parandur.
- Why
- The airport is intended to meet rising passenger demand and support industrial and cargo growth while limiting disruption to agricultural land and residential settlements.
Tamil Nadu Government
DMK Opposition
Whether to abandon Parandur
Tamil Nadu Government
The government says the project should be dropped because of concerns about farmers, fertile agricultural land, water bodies, residential settlements and environmental clearances.
DMK Opposition
The DMK has criticised the decision, saying shelving Parandur could create an economic setback after substantial progress on the project.
Extent of project progress
Tamil Nadu Government
Tamil Nadu Minister R. Nirmal Kumar rejected the claim that about 90% of the project was complete, saying land acquisition had not begun in several villages.
DMK Opposition
DMK MLA S. Austin argued that substantial progress had been made and opposed shelving the airport project.
Priority for the new airport
Tamil Nadu Government
The government says Chennai still needs a second airport but wants a location that minimises effects on agricultural land and residential areas.
DMK Opposition
The opposition has emphasised the infrastructure and development setback caused by delaying or abandoning the Parandur plan.
- Shortlisted sites
- Manellore near Gummidipoondi and Cheyyur
- Approximate distances
- Manellore is about 50–60 kilometres from Chennai; Cheyyur is approximately 100 kilometres away.
- Assessment authority
- The Airports Authority of India will inspect both locations and prepare a feasibility or pre-feasibility report.
- Previous proposal
- The Parandur airport project was planned over 5,846 acres and has been scrapped.
- Parandur land acquisition
- The government said about 1,802 acres, or 48% of the planned requirement, had been acquired; another report cited roughly 1,500–1,700 acres.
- Estimated project cost
- One report put the proposed Parandur project’s estimated cost at approximately ₹27,400 crore.
- Construction timeline
- A new airport could take at least five to seven years to build after the site is finalised.
Sources
Tamil Nadu Shortlists Manellore, Cheyyur For New Airport After Parandur Project Scrapped
Vijay Govt Moves On New Chennai Airport After Parandur Setback; Manellore, Cheyyur Shortlisted: Reports
