Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Parandur Airport Scrapped, Chennai Second Airport Search Intensifies Political War
Tamil Nadu decided not to build Chennai’s second airport at Parandur.
The government said the project could harm farms, villages and people’s livelihoods.
It still believes Chennai needs another airport in the future.
Officials will study other possible locations with expert help.
The Airports Authority of India will check whether the new sites can work.
Politicians argued in the Assembly about land bought near Parandur.
They also disagreed about how much land had already been acquired.
The opposition criticized the cancellation as harmful to Tamil Nadu’s growth.
Meanwhile, officials are planning more facilities at the existing Chennai airport.
Tamil Nadu has scrapped the proposed Parandur Greenfield International Airport and will search for an alternative site.
Chief Minister Vijay cited concerns about agricultural land, the environment, settlements and local livelihoods.
TVK and DMK legislators traded allegations over land purchases made around Parandur before the airport project’s DPR was released.
The government said about 1,700 acres had been acquired, rejecting a claim that 90% of the required land was secured.
The Airports Authority of India is also planning additional passenger-handling infrastructure at Chennai airport in Meenambakkam.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government, Chief Minister Vijay, TVK ministers and DMK legislators are central to the dispute.
- What
- The proposed Parandur airport has been scrapped, while the government plans to identify another site for Chennai’s second international airport.
- When
- The cancellation was announced on Monday, followed by the Assembly dispute on Tuesday; Parandur received in-principle approval in April 2025.
- Where
- The abandoned project was planned for Parandur and 12 surrounding villages in Kancheepuram district; the existing airport is at Meenambakkam, Chennai.
- Why
- The government cited concerns about agricultural land, environmental effects, residential settlements and local livelihoods, while saying Chennai still needs additional airport capacity.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Government
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Opposition
Scrapping the Parandur site
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Government
The government says abandoning Parandur protects farming communities, residential areas and local livelihoods while allowing a less damaging site to be considered.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Opposition
The opposition criticized the decision, with M.K. Stalin describing it as an “irreversible setback” to Tamil Nadu’s growth.
Land purchases near Parandur
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Government
TVK ministers alleged that realtors linked to a political party and a particular company bought substantial land near Parandur before the DPR was released.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Opposition
DMK members responded with allegations and remarks about a “Lottery son-in-law,” but the articles do not establish whether the land-purchase allegations are true.
Need for a second airport
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Government
The government says Chennai needs additional passenger, industrial and cargo capacity and will seek another location.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Opposition
The opposition’s criticism focuses on the cancellation’s impact on Tamil Nadu’s growth; the articles do not state that it opposes a second airport in principle.
- Abandoned project
- Proposed Greenfield International Airport at Parandur
- Replacement plan
- Alternative sites will be identified with expert consultation and submitted to the Airports Authority of India for feasibility studies.
- Land acquired
- The Law Minister said about 1,700 acres had been acquired for the Parandur project.
- Approval status
- The Civil Aviation Ministry granted in-principle approval for the Parandur airport in April 2025.
- Existing airport
- Additional passenger-handling infrastructure is planned at Chennai airport in Meenambakkam.
- Political criticism
- DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called the cancellation an “irreversible setback” to Tamil Nadu’s growth.
