Overview
- State Minister R. Nirmal Kumar said on June 18 that the TVK-led government will not proceed with the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur and will look for an alternative site.
- Officials cited the risk to wetlands, waterbodies and fertile agricultural land as the main reason for abandoning the Parandur location.
- The Parandur plan retains earlier clearances but had already seen large-scale land acquisition and compensation, with reports varying between about 1,700 acres and more than 2,500 acres taken for the project.
- Industry and aviation experts warn that identifying, getting pre-feasibility clearance from the Airports Authority of India, securing approvals and building a new airport will add several years to Chennai’s timeline for a second airport.
- The decision responds to prolonged local protests and divides opinion between activists and industry groups, with some business bodies warning of economic costs and others welcoming the protection of local livelihoods.