Parandur Airport: CM Vijay Halts Land Acquisition in Parandur, Freezes The Progress of Greenfield Project?

In a major move reflecting his administration's cautious stance on large-scale infrastructure, Chief Minister Vijay has issued a "status quo" order on the proposed greenfield international airport at Parandur, according to reports in the Tamil media.

The decision follows an industrial advisory meeting held yesterday at the Secretariat, signalling a potential shift in the state's aviation policy.

Brakes Applied to Land Acquisition

Reports indicate that during the review of the industrial sector, the Chief Minister instructed officials to monitor the project's current state but strictly prohibited any further developmental or land acquisition work. This directive effectively freezes the progress initiated under the previous DMK administration, which had envisioned the airport as a solution to the overcapacity issues at Chennai International Airport.

"The Chief Minister has been clear: no further steps are to be taken until a comprehensive re-evaluation is complete," a senior official stated.

The Parandur project, spanning approximately 5,746 acres across 13 villages in Kancheepuram and Sriperumbudur, has been a flashpoint of controversy since its inception. While the previous government secured in-principle clearance from the Union government, it faced relentless pushback from:

Local Residents: Over 1,000 families, primarily from Ekanapuram, face displacement.

Environmental Groups: Concerns over the destruction of vast agricultural tracts and water bodies.

Political Opposition: CM Vijay himself visited the protest sites in January 2025, then in an opposition capacity, pledging his support to the farmers and their livelihoods.

Searching for a Balanced Solution

The state's requirement for a second airport remains a pressing issue. With Chennai International Airport handling over 2.2 crore passengers annually, experts warn that the current facility will soon reach its saturation point. However, the search for a site-which has spanned three decades and included locations like Tambaram and Sriperumbudur-continues to be haunted by land acquisition hurdles and transparency concerns.

What's Next?

A dedicated review meeting specifically for the Parandur project is expected to be convened shortly. This high-level consultation will serve as the platform for a final decision on whether the project will be relocated, redesigned, or scrapped entirely in favor of a more sustainable alternative.

For now, the thousands of farmers and residents in the 13 affected villages remain in a state of watchful waiting as the new administration weighs economic growth against social cost.