Tamil Nadu Govt Scraps Parandur Airport Plan, Searches for Alternative Site

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to abandon the proposed greenfield airport project at Parandur in Kancheepuram district, with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announcing in the Assembly on Monday that the state will now search for an alternative location for Chennai’s second airport.

The decision comes after prolonged opposition from farmers and residents of Parandur and surrounding villages, who had raised concerns about the acquisition of agricultural land and the impact on their livelihoods. Vijay said the government would support the affected communities and look for a site where agricultural land and residential areas would be minimally affected.

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Why Did Tamil Nadu Drop the Parandur Airport Project?

Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Vijay said Chennai needs a second airport because of rising passenger traffic, industrial development and growing cargo transportation requirements. However, he argued that the project should not come at the cost of agricultural land and people's livelihoods.

The Chief Minister recalled his visit to Eganapuram and neighbouring villages in January 2025, when residents were protesting against the proposed airport. He said he had listened to their grievances and had earlier opposed locating the airport at Parandur.

Vijay reiterated that he supports industrial development and recognises the importance of airports for economic growth, but maintained that Parandur was not the right location for the project.

Government to Identify a New Location

The Tamil Nadu government has already held consultations with senior officials and experts to explore alternatives. Vijay said several locations have been shortlisted, but a final decision will be taken only after a detailed assessment.

The new site is expected to meet the state's aviation requirements while reducing the impact on farmland, residential settlements and local livelihoods.

The move represents a major change in the state's plans for expanding Chennai's aviation infrastructure. The proposed Parandur airport had been planned as a major greenfield facility to handle the city's future passenger and cargo demand.

Parandur Had Received Centre's In-Principle Approval

The decision is significant because the Union Civil Aviation Ministry had granted in-principle approval for an international greenfield airport at Parandur in April 2025. The Ministry continues to list Parandur among its approved greenfield airport proposals.

The site had earlier been selected after technical and operational assessments. Reports have also highlighted the presence of water bodies and wetlands in the proposed project area, which became a major point of concern among environmental groups and local residents.

Chennai Still Needs a Second Airport

Despite scrapping the Parandur plan, the Tamil Nadu government has made it clear that it does not intend to abandon the idea of a second airport for Chennai.

The existing Meenambakkam airport currently has an annual handling capacity of around 30 million passengers, according to the Chief Minister. With Chennai's aviation demand expected to grow alongside industrial and cargo activity, the state believes additional airport capacity will eventually be necessary.

The challenge now is to identify a location that can accommodate a large international airport without causing major displacement or loss of agricultural land.

Political and Economic Debate

The decision has already triggered debate within Tamil Nadu. While the government has presented the move as support for farmers and local communities, critics have warned that abandoning Parandur could affect the state's long-term economic and industrial ambitions. Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK MLA Thangam Thennarasu argued that dropping the project could hurt the state's economy and potentially affect industrial investment.

For now, the focus will shift to the alternative sites being considered by the government. The final choice will have to balance Chennai's growing aviation needs with environmental concerns, land acquisition and the interests of local communities.