- CM C. Joseph Vijay says Parandur airport plan will be abandoned.
- TVK had opposed the project over farmers’ concerns and environmental impact.
- DMK challenges the government to open files linked to the airport proposal.
- Project had received in-principle approval from Civil Aviation Ministry in April 2025.
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 2th Aug: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced that his government will abandon the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project, bringing the contentious plan back into the centre of a political confrontation between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
Vijay, who had opposed the proposed airport during his political campaign, said he would stand by residents and farmers protesting against the project over concerns related to agricultural land and the environment.
“We are dropping Parandur airport. I stand firm with the protesters against the proposed airport,” Vijay said.
The proposed airport site is located in Parandur in Kancheepuram district, around 70 km from Chennai. Local opposition to the project has centred on its potential impact on multi-crop agricultural land and waterbodies.
Vijay Recalls Earlier Opposition
Vijay said he had opposed the project as early as October 2024 during a meeting at Vikravandi, while acknowledging the importance of airports for industrial development.
He had argued that infrastructure development should not come at the cost of farmers’ welfare.
Recalling that commitment, Vijay said the government had decided to abandon the steps taken to establish the airport at Parandur.
DMK Challenges Government
The decision has triggered a fresh political confrontation with the DMK, which initiated the airport proposal during its tenure under former Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Senior DMK leader Duraimurugan challenged the Vijay government to make public the files relating to the project instead of raising doubts about the proposal.
“If the Chief Minister doesn’t open our files, we will move a privilege motion against him in the Assembly,” Duraimurugan said.
He said the Opposition was giving the government an opportunity to disclose the records and warned that failure to do so within a week could lead to a privilege motion over what the DMK described as incorrect information presented in the Assembly.
Project Had Received Centre’s Nod
The Civil Aviation Ministry had granted in-principle approval in April 2025 for the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur.
After coming to power, the Vijay government had indicated that it would review the location. In June, TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar said a comprehensive review was underway to examine alternative locations while protecting waterbodies and fertile agricultural land.
The latest decision effectively ends the Parandur airport proposal in its current form, while opening a new political battle over the project’s records, environmental concerns and the future location of Chennai’s proposed second airport.
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