Parandur Airport: Chennai To Get Second Airport As Centre Approves Greenfield Project

The Centre has granted in-principle approval for Tamil Nadu's ambitious second airport in Parandur, which is located 42 km from Chennai, The Hindu reported.

With this clearance, the Tamil Nadu government is set to invite bids for the massive infrastructure project. The Steering Committee had recommended the proposal, which was forwarded to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for final approval on March 28, the report added.

Minister Formally Announces

Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, formally announced the news on his X account. In a post, he said, "It gives me immense pleasure to share that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted in-principle approval for the new Perandur Airport!

Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, growing passenger demand is being addressed by strengthening airport capacity across the country, especially in mega cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai through the development of second airports."

He added that the airport represents a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity and the NDA Govt is committed in further bolstering Tamil Nadu's aviation infrastructure.

2 Stage Clearance For Parandur Airport

The approval process for the Parandur project involved two stages-site clearance and in-principle approval. The first hurdle was cleared in August 2024, after which the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) submitted its request in September. Finally, the Tamil Nadu government got a nod on Tuesday, the report added.

Located about 42 km from Chennai's existing airport in Meenambakkam, the new airport will include three mid-field terminal buildings and is estimated to cost ₹27,400 crore. The first phase, which is expected to cost ₹11,445 crore, is scheduled to commence construction by January 2026, with completion targeted within two years.

Tender Process To Begin

The Parandur Airport will be constructed in 2,172.72 hectares and it will have two parallel runways and be designed to accommodate future aviation trends under code 4F classification. The first terminal will cover an area of 3,51,380 sq. meters, according the report in the English daily. "Nearly 95% of the tender has been drafted, and a few things have to be finalised. After it is ready, the tenders will have to be sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation as per the procedure. Once they give a go-ahead, it can be floated," a source added.

The aspiring bidders must secure regulatory clearances from their respective home countries while adhering to Indian regulations. The selected firm will oversee the construction of an aviation hub featuring two runways in its initial phase.

The selection of Parandur as the site for Chennai's second airport followed a three-year evaluation, including a feasibility study conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The Ministry of Civil Aviation granted site clearance in July 2024, paving the way for TIDCO to apply for in-principle approval.

The airport is projected to handle nearly 100 million passengers annually upon full completion.

Why Parandur Over Pannur?

Parandur was chosen over Pannur in 2020 due to strategic advantages, including its proximity to the proposed Chennai-Bengaluru expressway. Additionally, the number of families to be relocated is lower-1,005 in Parandur compared to 1,546 in Pannur. The site also avoids significant infrastructure challenges like high-tension power lines or dense industrial areas, making it a more feasible location.

Compensation for Farmers
The compensation process is expected to begin in March 2025 and be completed by May 2025. Land prices in Parandur range from ₹2 lakh to ₹35 lakh per acre, with compensation determined accordingly.