Tamil Nadu Drops Parandur Greenfield Airport Project Over Farming Concerns
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led Tamil Nadu government has officially called off the proposed greenfield airport project at Parandur in Kancheepuram district, fulfilling a commitment made in its election manifesto. The project had originally been planned as Chennai’s second airport to handle rising air traffic demands.
What Happened
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the decision to scrap the Parandur airport project during an Assembly session on August 24, 2026. While acknowledging that Chennai requires a secondary airport facility, the Chief Minister maintained that such infrastructure cannot come at the expense of fertile agricultural acreage and the livelihood of farmers.
The greenfield facility, carrying an estimated cost of ₹27,400 crore, had been conceived over 3,000 acres of fertile farmland and was designed with the capacity to handle up to 100 million passengers annually. The official withdrawal comes four years after the location was initially finalized.
Key Highlights
- The ₹27,400-crore greenfield airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram has been formally cancelled.
- The project was originally planned across 3,000 acres of fertile farmland with a projected passenger handling capacity of 100 million per year.
- Villagers and farmers from Ekanapuram and adjoining areas had held persistent protests against the plan since 2022.
- Approximately 1,700 acres of land were previously acquired under the prior DMK administration, creating uncertainty over their future use.
- Calls have emerged for the state administration to quickly identify a new location for the second airport.
Why This Matters
The decision resolves a dispute that triggered sustained local opposition from farming communities and residents around Ekanapuram. Demonstrators had voiced critical concerns regarding environmental risks, potential displacement of local families, and the loss of farming lands and essential waterbodies. By cancelling the venture, the administration has addressed these long-standing environmental and livelihood objections, although questions persist regarding the 1,700 acres of land that were already acquired under the preceding government.
What to Watch Next
Attention now turns to how the state government plans to handle the roughly 1,700 acres of agricultural land acquired earlier. Concurrently, demands are increasing for the administration to locate and finalize a viable alternative site to serve Chennai’s future aviation needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Parandur airport project cancelled?
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced that the project was dropped to protect agricultural lands and farmers’ livelihoods, fulfilling an election manifesto promise after sustained local protests.
What was the estimated scale and capacity of the airport?
The project was estimated at ₹27,400 crore, spanned 3,000 acres of fertile farmland, and was projected to accommodate up to 100 million passengers each year.
What will happen to the land already acquired?
The government faces ongoing questions regarding the next steps for approximately 1,700 acres of farmland acquired during the previous administration.
Source: Reported via The Hindu.