4 days ago
Parandur Airport Scrapped as DMK Warns of Economic Damage
Tamil Nadu had planned to build a large airport at Parandur near Chennai.
Many farmers and residents protested because they feared losing farmland and their livelihoods.
Chief Minister Joseph Vijay said the project would be stopped.
He said a different location should be found that affects fewer farms and homes.
DMK leaders disagreed with this decision.
They said the airport was needed because Chennai’s existing airport is becoming busier.
They also warned that businesses might move to Andhra Pradesh if the project is cancelled.
The government says it will study other possible locations.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced that steps to establish the Parandur airport would be abandoned.
Vijay said the project would affect agricultural land and disrupt farmers’ and residents’ livelihoods.
DMK leaders TKS Elangovan and Thangam Thennarasu warned that cancelling the project could harm Tamil Nadu’s economy and push industries toward Andhra Pradesh.
The DMK staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly after being denied an opportunity to speak about the airport project.
The government plans to identify alternative sites for a new Chennai international airport, with feasibility studies to be conducted through the Airports Authority of India.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, DMK leaders, protesting farmers and residents, and state government officials are involved.
- What
- The Tamil Nadu government announced that steps to establish the proposed Parandur international airport would be abandoned and that alternative sites would be considered.
- Where
- Parandur and 12 surrounding villages in Kancheepuram District, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- When
- The abandonment was announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly; Vijay said he had visited protesting villages on January 20, 2025, and opposed the project publicly in October 2024. The Civil Aviation Ministry granted in-principle approval in April 2025.
- Why
- The government said the project would affect agricultural land and livelihoods, while DMK leaders said the airport was needed to meet rising passenger and cargo demand and support industrial development.
Airport Project Supporters
Airport Project Opponents
Economic and industrial development
Airport Project Supporters
DMK leaders TKS Elangovan and Thangam Thennarasu said Parandur was selected after studying options, including two runways, and warned that cancelling it could damage Tamil Nadu’s economy and drive industries toward Andhra Pradesh.
Airport Project Opponents
Chief Minister Joseph Vijay said he supports industrial development and the role of airports but argued that this particular project should not be located at Parandur.
Impact on farmers
Airport Project Supporters
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan argued that stopping industrial expansion to appease protesting farmers could harm the state’s broader economic development.
Airport Project Opponents
Vijay said farmers are the backbone of the country and supported residents protesting to protect agricultural land and their livelihoods.
Future airport planning
Airport Project Supporters
Supporters said Parandur was the best location and that compensation had already been provided to people whose land was acquired for the project.
Airport Project Opponents
The government said it would abandon the Parandur process and identify another site that minimizes damage to agricultural land, residential areas and livelihoods.
Key facts
- Existing airport capacity
- Chennai’s Meenambakkam airport currently has capacity to handle 30 million passengers annually, according to Chief Minister Vijay.
- Original project
- The proposed facility was an International Greenfield Airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram District.
- Project approval
- The Civil Aviation Ministry granted in-principle approval for the Parandur airport in April 2025.
- Government position
- The government said a new airport remains necessary but should be located where agricultural land and residential areas are minimally affected.
- Alternative planning
- Alternative sites will be identified in consultation with experts, and the Airports Authority of India will undertake feasibility studies.
- DMK criticism
- DMK leaders said cancelling Parandur for political reasons could damage Tamil Nadu’s economy and encourage industries to move toward Andhra Pradesh.
- Assembly response
- The DMK staged a walkout after saying it was denied an opportunity to speak about the project.
Quotes
Thangam Thennarasu
Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK MLA
“There is an airport in Salem, but the Parandur airport is an extension of Madras airport, and many new industries are coming up, which is why we wanted this extension. But this government did not care for all this”
deccanchronicle.com
“To fulfil the promise I made to the people that day... the steps taken to establish a new airport in Parandur will be abandoned by this government”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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