Residents of Parandur and surrounding villages met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay at the Secretariat to thank him after the state government announced its decision to halt the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project.
The residents, who had opposed the project for several years, welcomed the decision, citing concerns over agricultural land, livelihoods and the impact on local communities.
Five-Year Campaign Ends
G Subramanian, president of the Parandur Green Airport Project Opposition Struggle Committee, along with secretary SD Kathiresan and other members, met the Chief Minister and expressed their appreciation for the decision.
Subramanian said residents had campaigned against the airport project for nearly five years through protests, public meetings and discussions. He said the Chief Minister had fulfilled his commitment and acknowledged the government’s decision to drop the proposal.
The residents also reportedly proposed naming a road in the area after Vijay as a gesture of gratitude.
CM Backs Farmers
Vijay had announced the decision in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, stressing that while Chennai requires additional airport capacity, the location should not cause significant damage to agricultural land or residential areas.
He noted that Chennai’s existing Meenambakkam airport handles around 30 million passengers annually, highlighting the need for additional aviation infrastructure as demand grows.
However, the Chief Minister maintained that development should not come at the cost of farmers and local livelihoods. He reiterated his support for farmers and called for an alternative site that would have minimal impact on communities.
Centre Had Granted In-Principle Approval
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry had granted in-principle approval in April 2025 for the proposed international greenfield airport at Parandur.
The project had faced sustained opposition from residents of Parandur and neighbouring villages, who argued that land acquisition and construction could affect agricultural activities and displace communities.
With the state government now moving away from the proposal, attention is expected to shift towards identifying an alternative location for Chennai’s proposed second airport.
