Parandur, Eganapuram Villagers Celebrate Dropping of Airport Project

Residents of Parandur and Eganapuram in Kanchipuram took to the streets on Monday to celebrate Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's announcement dropping the proposed airport project. Villagers gathered in large numbers, shouting slogans, praising the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader, distributing sweets, and bursting crackers.

The airport project was initially announced in 2022 and involved plans to acquire 5,300 acres of land across 13 villages. Local residents mounted strong opposition to the plan, arguing that the development would wipe their villages off the map and cause extensive damage to local water bodies and agricultural lands.

The agitation against the project continued for 1,100 days. During this period of sustained protest, the local grama sabhas passed formal resolutions opposing the airport project on 16 separate occasions.

Even as residents protested, revenue officials in Kanchipuram district began acquiring land in the area and handing it over to Tidco for the project. The government had also allocated alternative sites for housing construction for families who were losing their land.

The persistent demonstrations by the villagers drew the attention of TVK leader Vijay, who staged his first political protest in Parandur in support of the affected residents. During his agitation, he promised to cancel the project if he came to power.

After the TVK secured 108 seats, including the Kanchipuram constituency where Parandur and Eganapuram are located, Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister. Following his election, questions arose over the continuation of the airport scheme, and officials halted work before the Chief Minister formally announced that the project was being dropped.

Following the announcement, villagers in both Parandur and Eganapuram held community meetings to thank the Chief Minister, marking the conclusion of their prolonged protest with celebrations across the streets.