Tamil Nadu Scraps 27,400 Crore Parandur Airport Project

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced in the Tamil Nadu assembly on Monday that his government is abandoning plans to construct a ₹27,400 crore greenfield international airport at Parandur. The decision follows sustained opposition from farmers and residents in Parandur, Ekanapuram, and 12 surrounding villages who feared displacement and the loss of agricultural livelihoods. Environmental activists also warned that the project would destroy wetlands and water bodies, increasing flood risks for Chennai.

The project, initiated by the previous M. K. Stalin ministry, had already secured over 2,500 of the required 5,746 acres in the Kancheepuram district and received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in April 2025. To address rising traffic, the government will now expand the existing Meenambakkam airport by operationalizing Terminal 3 and constructing a fifth terminal in coordination with the Airports Authority of India. Vijay stated that the government is consulting officials to identify alternative sites based on technical feasibility and environmental impact.

The decision drew sharp criticism from the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which staged a walkout from the Assembly. Party members argued that scrapping the project for political reasons would cause economic damage and drive industry to Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, K Annamalai warned that starting the process over at a new site could delay the operationalization of a second airport by at least ten years due to the requirements for federal approvals, land acquisition, and licensing.