Chennai’s second airport at Parandur hinges on the new TVK government’s stand

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay speaking in the Assembly ANI @CMOTamilnadu X/ANI Photo | Photo Credit: ANI

The newly formed government under Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) faces a key decision on whether to press ahead with the greenfield airport project at Parandur or risk Chennai missing out on a much-needed second airport. The question is weighing heavily on the minds of passengers, industry and investors alike, especially after TVK leader and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay initially backed villagers and farmers opposing the project over concerns about livelihood loss.

Residents of Parandur remain hopeful that the project will eventually be shelved.

Although there were reports claiming that Chief Minister Vijay had held a review meeting on the Parandur airport project, multiple government sources denied that any such consultation had taken place.

One of the final Gazette notifications issued by the previous DMK government declared the Parandur New Greenfield Airport Project a “Special Project” under the Tamil Nadu Land Consolidation (for Special Projects) Act, 2023. The notification was published on March 2, just days before the Model Code of Conduct came into force.

Under the Act, a Special Project refers to any development requiring at least 100 hectares of land and formally notified by the government. The designation enables faster land consolidation, streamlined acquisition and quicker approvals for large infrastructure projects.

However, government sources said there is no legal restriction preventing the new administration from discontinuing the project despite its Special Project status.

Sources added that the Special Project category also permits closure of water bodies, provided the overall water storage capacity is maintained. Nearly 10 per cent of the 5,747 hectares identified for acquisition are classified as irrigation tanks and water bodies, including Vyeleri tank and Kali Eri.

Industry representatives warn that scrapping the airport project would be a major setback for Chennai, which urgently requires a second airport to support the State’s growing economy.

“We have already lost ground to Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports. Chennai needs the Parandur airport to support industry and passengers,” said an official from a leading automobile company in Sriperumbudur.

The previous DMK government had accelerated land acquisition, securing more than 2,500 acres — with compensation significantly above market rates — out of the 5,746 acres required for the proposed airport in Kancheepuram district.

The project is seen as critical for Chennai’s long-term aviation needs. The existing Chennai airport currently handles more than 2.2 crore passengers annually. After ongoing modernisation works are completed, capacity is expected to rise to 3.5 crore passengers a year, sufficient for only the next seven years — roughly the timeline by which the Parandur airport is expected to be operational.

The proposed Parandur airport is designed to handle up to 10 crore passengers annually and will include two runways, terminal buildings, taxiways, an apron and a cargo terminal.

Meanwhile, when industrialists met Chief Minister Vijay recently, the issue of the Parandur airport was not discussed. However, they urged him to focus on infrastructure development.

“One of the best meetings we ever had, spent nearly 45 minutes. CM’s willingness to hear is a great pleasure and his leadership is a visionary one,” M Ponnuswami, Managing Director, Pon Pure Chemicals Group, and Co-Chair of CII MSME National Council & National Task Force on EoDB, said on X.

Vijay requested the CII delegation to give their suggestions in writing so that action could be taken.

Published on May 17, 2026