Hosur Airport Near Bengaluru Faces Setback As Parandur Project In Limbo - Twin Tests For TN Aviation Ambition

Two major infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu, one facing a setback, the other hanging in the balance, have put the state's industrial and political priorities under sharp scrutiny.

In a major development, Tamil Nadu has reportedly lost the bid to host the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) flight-testing and integration project. According to former minister Rajaa, the previous DMK government, led by M.K. Stalin, had spent nearly three years in negotiations with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to bring the prestigious defence venture to Hosur.

The government offered 100 acres of land free of cost and proposed extending the Hosur airport runway to 3.5 kilometres, citing its strategic proximity to the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Bengaluru.

Rajaa, who chaired several meetings on the project as Industries Minister, expressed dismay over what he called "political considerations" behind the project's alleged diversion. He argued that national defence investments should not be decided on partisan grounds and urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to write to the Prime Minister's Office and the Defence Minister. He also stressed that Tamil Nadu's robust industrial ecosystem and skilled workforce made it an ideal candidate for the AMCA hub.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government faces a critical decision on the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur. The project, intended to relieve Chennai's overburdened airport-currently handling over 22 million passengers annually, with capacity rising to only 35 million after upgrades-is designed to manage up to 100 million passengers a year.

The previous DMK government had declared it a "special project", acquiring over 2,500 of the required 5,746 acres in Kancheepuram district with above-market compensation. A final gazette notification was issued days before the model code of conduct took effect.

However, Chief Minister Vijay, who earlier supported local farmers and villagers concerned about livelihood losses, now confronts a dilemma: press ahead with the airport or risk Chennai losing a crucial second hub.

With new Industries Minister S. Keerthana now in post, all eyes are on whether the government will prioritise long-term infrastructure needs or stand by agrarian interests. The next few weeks will reveal if Tamil Nadu can recover its defence ambitions and resolve its aviation impasse without further political friction.