Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Tamil Nadu’s Parandur Airport Debate Becomes Son-in-Law Clash
Tamil Nadu had planned to build a second airport at Parandur near Chennai.
The new government decided to stop that plan.
Government ministers said the area has productive farms, canals and water bodies that could help prevent floods.
They also said the land could be used for other industries instead.
Former minister Thangam Thennarasu said Parandur was carefully chosen after many studies and that much land had already been acquired.
He warned that cancelling the project could delay Chennai’s airport expansion for many years.
During the argument, lawmakers exchanged accusations about politically connected sons-in-law.
The Assembly debate also attracted much more public attention because its proceedings are now livestreamed.
Tamil Nadu’s TVK government defended scrapping the proposed Parandur second airport, citing farmland, water bodies and flood-risk concerns.
DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu argued that Parandur was selected after technical studies, Union approval and extensive land acquisition.
Energy and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar said environmental clearance claims were incorrect and that an Environmental Impact Assessment had not been completed.
Industries Minister S Keerthana said acquired land could support alternative industries while existing airport facilities, including a proposed Terminal 5, could meet demand for another decade.
The Assembly debate became personal when ministers traded allegations involving the sons-in-law of M K Stalin and Aadhav Arjuna.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu’s TVK government, Energy and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar, Industries Minister S Keerthana, and DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu were central participants.
- What
- The Assembly debated the government’s decision to scrap the proposed Parandur second airport and exchanged personal political allegations.
- When
- During the Assembly’s August 5 Budget session and a subsequent Monday debate.
- Where
- The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly at Fort St George, concerning the proposed airport site at Parandur near Chennai.
- Why
- The government cited agricultural land, water bodies, drainage systems and possible flood risks, while opponents said the airport was needed for Chennai’s growth and had already progressed substantially.
Supporters of continuing Parandur
Supporters of cancelling Parandur
Need for a second airport
Supporters of continuing Parandur
Thangam Thennarasu said Chennai’s existing airport could not easily absorb future expansion because of dense development and geographical constraints.
Supporters of cancelling Parandur
S Keerthana agreed that Chennai needs a second airport but said existing airport capacity, including Terminal 5, could serve requirements for another decade while a less damaging site is found.
Site selection and project progress
Supporters of continuing Parandur
Thennarasu said Parandur was chosen after examining alternatives, technical feasibility, relocation needs, land costs and other constraints, and that the Union government had approved it.
Supporters of cancelling Parandur
The government said the project should not proceed because the area contains productive farmland and water systems, while Nirmal Kumar disputed claims that environmental clearance had been secured.
Economic versus environmental costs
Supporters of continuing Parandur
Thennarasu argued that abandoning a project with substantial acquisition already completed would harm Tamil Nadu’s economic growth and delay the airport indefinitely.
Supporters of cancelling Parandur
Keerthana said the acquired land could host alternative industries and that preserving agriculture and drainage networks could protect residents, livelihoods and Chennai from increased flood risk.
- Government decision
- The TVK government decided to scrap the proposed Parandur airport.
- Site concerns
- Ministers cited three-season farmland, perennial water availability, canals and water bodies at Parandur.
- Previous project status
- Thangam Thennarasu said much of the patta land had been acquired and compensation paid.
- Alternative plan
- The government said acquired land could be developed for industries and jobs.
- Existing airport proposal
- The government said Terminal 5 and related roads could meet requirements for another decade.
- Environmental assessment
- R Nirmal Kumar said environmental clearance had not been obtained and an EIA was incomplete.
- Assembly viewership
- The August 5 Budget session drew more than one million views on prominent YouTube streams, according to the article.