TN Govt Explores Alternative Sites for Chennai's Second Airport

The Tamil Nadu government has decided to explore alternative locations for establishing Chennai’s second airport, reviewing possibilities that include a site in Chengalpet district and the expansion of the Meenambakkam airport facility. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay held a dedicated review meeting for Chennai’s second airport at the Secretariat recently to assess the available options.

Sources indicated that the state government is likely to disclose its detailed plans for both Chennai's second airport and a proposed airport at Hosur within a few days.

The exploration of fresh locations comes at a significant juncture, as no formal Government Order has yet been issued regarding the dropping of the Parandur site for the second airport project. However, land acquisition work at Parandur has remained stopped for some months now. The ruling TVK had actively opposed the acquisition of land for the Parandur airport prior to the election.

Under the earlier DMK government led by M.K. Stalin, the Parandur airport initiative had seen substantial progress, with 1,700 acres of land acquired and both site clearance and in-principle approval obtained for the project.

In the last few weeks, the state government considered multiple alternatives, including the expansion of the Meenambakkam airport and a few other sites for the second airport, including one in Chengalpet district. Sources stated that it is very unlikely that the government will reconsider the decision to build the airport at Parandur. A source further noted that if the government decides to consider another site altogether, it might take 5 to 7 years for the airport project to become a reality.

At the same time, the government is keen on building an airport at Hosur. For the Hosur airport project, the administration needs approval from the Defence Ministry for relaxation of air space restrictions for the chosen site. A source stated that the airport will definitely be built and that the State will overcome the challenges arising from the air space restrictions.