Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced that the proposed second airport at Parandur near Chennai will be dropped, bringing a major turn in a long-running controversy involving farmers, land acquisition and environmental concerns.
The proposed greenfield airport was intended to address Chennai’s growing aviation requirements. However, the project faced sustained opposition from residents of villages around Parandur, who argued that the airport would affect agricultural land, homes and local water bodies.
The government had been considering a large land parcel for the project, but opposition continued for years. The issue became particularly prominent after Vijay and his political party backed the protesting residents.
Announcing the decision in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday, Vijay said the Parandur proposal would be dropped and that the state would look for an alternative location for Chennai’s future airport requirements.
The announcement has already triggered a political debate. Supporters of the decision say it protects farmers and local communities, while critics argue that abandoning the project could hurt Chennai’s long-term infrastructure and economic expansion.
The state is also considering expansion at the existing Chennai airport, including plans for a fifth terminal, while searching for another location for a second airport.
