Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Vijay Scraps Parandur Airport Plan, Faces Delay Warnings
Tamil Nadu has decided not to build the planned new airport at Parandur.
The government said the project could harm farms, waterbodies and people’s homes.
Officials are looking at other places for the airport.
They want to choose a site that causes less disruption.
Chennai still needs a second airport because more people and cargo are expected to travel.
The current airport can handle about 30 million passengers each year.
A planned Terminal 5 could increase that capacity to 55 million.
K. Annamalai said choosing and approving another site could take at least 10 years.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced that the government would abandon the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project.
The decision was attributed to concerns about impacts on agricultural land, waterbodies, farmers and residential settlements.
The government said alternative sites are under consideration and will undergo technical and detailed assessments.
Chennai’s existing airport handles about 30 million passengers annually, while Terminal 5 could raise capacity to 55 million.
K. Annamalai warned that selecting and approving a new site could delay a second airport by at least 10 years.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the Tamil Nadu government; K. Annamalai criticized the decision.
- What
- The government is abandoning the Parandur airport plan, considering alternative sites and expanding Chennai’s existing airport.
- When
- The decision was announced on Monday, August 24, 2026; Vijay said he had visited Parandur on January 20, 2025.
- Where
- Parandur and Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The government cited concerns about agricultural land, waterbodies and residential settlements, while saying Chennai needs more aviation capacity.
Land and Community Concerns
Capacity and Development Concerns
Whether Parandur should proceed
Land and Community Concerns
The government said Parandur was unsuitable because the project could affect agricultural land, waterbodies, farmers and residential settlements.
Capacity and Development Concerns
K. Annamalai argued that cancelling the project without immediately naming another site could leave Chennai without a timely second-airport solution.
Effect of cancellation
Land and Community Concerns
The government said it would seek an alternative location and minimize disruption while continuing to support aviation and industrial growth.
Capacity and Development Concerns
Annamalai warned that site selection, central and statutory approvals, land acquisition, tenders and licensing could delay operations by at least 10 years.
Short-term airport strategy
Land and Community Concerns
The government plans to expand the existing airport through Terminal 5 while developing a future greenfield airport at a suitable alternative location.
Capacity and Development Concerns
Annamalai said Chennai’s current airport is already inadequate, citing its limited land area, 30-million-passenger capacity and inability to handle aircraft such as the A380.
- Parandur project
- The proposed greenfield airport project will be abandoned.
- Alternative locations
- Sites identified through technical studies will undergo further assessment before selection.
- Existing airport capacity
- Chennai’s existing airport can handle about 30 million passengers annually.
- Terminal 3
- The existing Terminal 3 has an annual capacity of 35 million passengers, according to Vijay.
- Terminal 5
- The planned Terminal 5 could add capacity for 20 million passengers annually.
- Projected capacity
- Terminal 5 could raise the existing airport’s total annual capacity to 55 million passengers.
- Proposed Parandur footprint
- The planned project was reported to cover 5,746 acres, with about 1,700 acres reportedly acquired.
- Estimated delay
- K. Annamalai said a replacement project could take at least 10 years to become operational.
Sources
'Could set Tamil Nadu back 10 years': Annamalai's warning as Vijay scraps Parandur airport project
Chennai’s Wait For New Airport Gets Longer As CM Vijay Scraps Parandur Project Over Land Concerns, Seeks Alternative Site | Video