Parandur Airport: As Mega Project Awaits Centre's Final Approval, TN Govt Prepares To Invite Developers

The Tamil Nadu government is preparing to float global tenders to select a developer for the proposed ₹20,000 crore greenfield airport at Parandur, The Business Line reported.

While the state government is awaiting in-principle approval for the project, authorities have accelerated the process of acquiring land for the mega project, offering landowners compensation packages reported to be five to six times higher than prevailing market rates, the English daily reported, citing sources.

Located in the Kanchipuram district, prospective bidders will need to meet criteria, including obtaining necessary clearances from their home countries while complying with Indian regulations. The selected entity will be responsible for constructing an aviation hub featuring two parallel runways in the initial phase, with work slated to commence in 2026, as per another report in The Hindu.

Steering Committee Reviews Project Details

A crucial meeting of the Steering Committee was convened in New Delhi on March 12, attended by representatives from multiple central and state agencies. Participants included officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and Ministry of Environment, among others.

"Since the minutes of this meeting have been sent to Tamil Nadu government, it is only a matter of time till the formal announcement comes," the English daily quoted a source in New Delhi as saying. The committee deliberated on various aspects of the proposed aviation facility before recommending it for preliminary approval.

Regulatory Hurdles and Environmental Considerations

While most departments have endorsed the initiative, regulatory bodies have identified several challenges that require resolution. The DGCA has highlighted potential obstructions including industrial chimneys and power lines that need removal. Environmental concerns regarding nearby water bodies and flood risks were also discussed during the review, the report said.

State authorities have assured they have formulated comprehensive plans to mitigate these issues. "The State government had said that they have chalked out a detailed plan to address all the issues," confirmed an insider familiar with the proceedings.

Protests Against Parandur Airport

Despite the attractive rehabilitation packages, residents from 13 affected villages including Ekanapuram and Nelvoy continue their protests, now entering their 983rd consecutive day.

According to DTNext, the compensation process started in March 2025, with payouts expected to be completed by May 2025. Land values in the Parandur region vary significantly, with prices ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹35 lakh per acre, depending on location. Compensation amounts will be determined based on these valuations. With all eyes on the final approval, Parandur Airport is on track to become a game-changer for Tamil Nadu's aviation sector.

The new airport project becomes imperative as the existing Chennai International Airport, currently handling 22 million passengers annually, will reach its enhanced capacity of 35 million after ongoing modernization. The proposed facility at Parandur is envisioned to eventually accommodate up to 100 million travelers each year through its four-phase development, featuring dual runways, modern terminals, and dedicated cargo facilities.

The Ministry of Defence has already provided the crucial no-objection certificate for the project site, clearing a major hurdle for the ambitious infrastructure initiative.