TN Government to Explore Alternative Sites for Proposed Chennai Airport Outside Parandur

The Tamil Nadu government will explore alternative sites for the proposed greenfield airport instead of building it at Parandur in Kancheepuram district, Minister for Energy Resources and Law R. Nirmalkumar announced on Thursday. The decision to consider other locations aims to preserve local waterbodies and cultivable land, following persistent opposition to the project.

Speaking to reporters after the Governor’s address to the Assembly, Minister Nirmalkumar stated that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) remains firm in opposing the project planned at Parandur. He emphasized that while the government is not against development or building an airport, it does not want to destroy agricultural land and water resources. The Minister noted that alternative sites will be discussed with Chief Minister Mr. Vijay before a final announcement is made.

The announcement follows speculation that the TVK government plans to drop the airport project, located nearly 70 kilometers from Chennai. On January 20, 2025, Mr. Vijay, acting as the TVK president, met with villagers in Kancheepuram district who were protesting against the development.

The greenfield airport was first announced in 2022 by the DMK government. Since then, nearly 1,700 acres of land have already been acquired after securing site clearance and in-principle approvals.

The decision to look for alternative sites has drawn criticism from business groups and regular travelers. V.N. Shivashankar, senior vice-president of the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), stated that dropping the project at this stage would be a setback for the state. He urged the government to consult with industry bodies, highlighting how major airports have driven growth in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Aviation experts also warned that finding a new site could delay the project by several years. An expert noted that identifying a new location and obtaining clearances from the Airports Authority of India could take up to three years, while land acquisition and construction could take an additional five to six years.