Will Vijay Scrap Parandur Airport Project? Ball Is In TN CM's Court

As Tamil Nadu prepares for a new political chapter under actor-turned-politician Vijay, uncertainty has once again gripped one of the state's most controversial infrastructure projects - the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur.

For residents of Ekanapuram and neighbouring villages in Kancheepuram district, the election result has revived hopes that the long-running project could finally be halted. Vijay, during his election campaign, had openly sided with villagers opposing the airport and repeatedly questioned why Parandur was chosen for the development.

His stand struck a chord with protesters who have been agitating for more than 1,000 days against the acquisition of fertile farmland and residential areas. While backing infrastructure growth in principle, Vijay argued that the project would come at an unacceptable environmental and social cost.

Now that he has assumed office, villagers are waiting to see whether those campaign promises will translate into policy decisions.

The proposed airport, located around 70 kilometres from Chennai, received in-principle clearance from the Union government under the previous DMK administration. The project was envisioned as Tamil Nadu's answer to the mounting pressure on Chennai International Airport, which currently handles more than 2.2 crore passengers annually.

Officials have projected the Parandur airport as a mega aviation hub capable of handling nearly 10 crore passengers every year. Plans include dual runways, cargo facilities, taxiways and large terminal buildings spread across more than 5,700 acres.

However, the numbers behind the proposal have also fuelled resistance.

The acquisition area stretches across 13 villages in Kancheepuram and Sriperumbudur taluks, with thousands of acres falling under privately owned patta land. More than 1,000 families are expected to be displaced, including nearly 650 families from Ekanapuram, considered the epicentre of the protests.

Although the state government offered rehabilitation packages and housing units under resettlement plans, residents remain unconvinced. Many argue that the consultations have lacked transparency and that compensation discussions have not addressed the long-term impact on livelihoods.

Environmental concerns have further intensified the debate. Activists and legal petitioners have pointed to the presence of lakes, irrigation tanks and water bodies within the proposed project area. Critics fear that altering the ecosystem could worsen flooding risks and damage groundwater resources in the region.

The issue became even more contentious after the previous government classified the airport as a "Special Project" under the Tamil Nadu Land Consolidation Act, enabling faster land acquisition and streamlined approvals.

For many observers, the Parandur debate now represents more than just an airport project. It has become a test of how the new government balances economic expansion with environmental sustainability and public sentiment.

The state's search for a second airport is not new. Since the late 1990s, several locations - including Tambaram, Maraimalai Nagar and Sriperumbudur - have been evaluated, but every proposal has stumbled over land acquisition hurdles and rising costs.

With Vijay now at the helm, the future of Parandur hangs in the balance. Whether the project proceeds, shifts location or is shelved entirely could shape not only Tamil Nadu's infrastructure roadmap, but also the credibility of the state's newest political leadership.