Tamil Nadu to explore alternative sites for proposed Parandur airport

The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to explore alternative sites for the proposed greenfield airport instead of Parandur in Kancheepuram district, aiming to protect waterbodies and cultivable land. Minister for Energy Resources and Law R. Nirmalkumar made the announcement on Thursday, stating that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government remains firm in its opposition to the project at the current site near Chennai.

Speaking to reporters after the Governor's address to the Assembly, Minister Nirmalkumar clarified that while the government is not against development or a new airport, it opposes destroying waterbodies and cultivable land. He stated that the government would consider alternative locations, discuss them with Chief Minister Vijay, and make a formal announcement. The decision follows a visit by Mr. Vijay to Kancheepuram district on January 20, 2025, where he met with local villagers protesting the project.

The proposed airport at Parandur was originally announced in 2022 by the previous DMK government. Since then, nearly 1,700 acres of land have already been acquired after obtaining site clearance and in-principle approval.

The prospect of relocating or dropping the project has raised concerns among industry leaders and air passengers. V.N. Shivashankar, senior vice-president of the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), requested the government to hold discussions with industry bodies before making a final decision. He noted that dropping the project after securing most approvals would be a setback for the State, as airports in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad have demonstrated how much a region can grow from a large aviation hub.

Aviation experts also warned of significant delays if a new site is sought. According to an expert, identifying a new site and getting a pre-feasibility study by the Airports Authority of India would take at least a year. Obtaining site clearance and in-principle approvals could take another two years, while land acquisition and construction would add another five to six years. The expert also noted that airspace availability, wind direction, and obstacles make finding a suitable site difficult.

Frequent flyers have also expressed disappointment over the potential delay. Air passenger Vasanthi Kannan stated that many travelers are unhappy with the maintenance of the current Chennai airport and that a privatized airport at Parandur would have been highly beneficial.