Assembly Witnesses TVK-DMK Clash Over Scrapping of Parandur Airport Project

A fierce verbal clash broke out between members of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai on Tuesday over the government's decision to abandon the proposed Greenfield International Airport project at Parandur in Kancheepuram district.

During the discussion, Law Minister Nirmal Kumar referred to "G Square Maapilai" when speaking about individuals who allegedly benefited from the project. Public Works Department Minister Aadhav Arjuna alleged that real estate operators linked to a specific political party had purchased large parcels of land in the area even before the Parandur airport's Detailed Project Report was released, and that a particular company had engaged in land purchases and real estate activities.

Responding to the allegations, DMK MLA Thangam Thennarasu questioned which "Lottery son-in-law" the new airport project was being developed for and warned that the Opposition could pay back in the same currency.

In response to a query from AIADMK MLA Edappadi Palaniswami regarding the status of lands acquired for the venture, Law Minister Nirmal Kumar stated that only around 1,700 acres had been acquired so far, dismissing Thennarasu's claim of 90 percent land acquisition as false.

The exchange follows an announcement made on Monday by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay under Rule 110, confirming that the Parandur airport project would be scrapped and an alternative site selected. The Chief Minister cited environmental impacts, the preservation of agricultural land, and the protection of local livelihoods as reasons for relocating the project, noting that he stood with residents protesting across Parandur and 12 surrounding villages. He had earlier visited Eganapuram and other affected villages on January 20, 2025.

Although the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation granted in-principle approval for the Parandur site in April 2025, the state government now plans to identify alternative locations for a second airport near Chennai in consultation with experts, after which the Airports Authority of India will conduct feasibility studies. DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin has criticized the decision, calling the cancellation an irreversible setback to Tamil Nadu's economic growth.