TN Govt not in favour of greenfield airport at Parandur; all options to be explored: Minister

The Tamil Nadu government is unlikely to proceed with the proposed greenfield airport plan at Parandur as it involves destruction of wetlands, and will instead explore an alternative site for the project, State Minister for Energy, Resources and Law Nirmal Kumar, said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat after the Governor’s address, the Minister reiterated the government’s opposition to the Parandur airport project in its current form.

“Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s first ground protest was against the greenfield airport at Parandur. We remain firm on our stand. We are not against development, but we will not destroy wetlands,” he said.

The statement marks a significant shift from the previous government’s approach to the project.

With the State government now indicating that it will look for an alternative location, the timeline and contours of Tamil Nadu’s long-term aviation infrastructure expansion are likely to be reassessed.

The earlier DMK administration had accelerated land acquisition for the proposed airport in Kancheepuram district and secured over 2,500 acres of the 5,746 acres required. Compensation packages offered to landowners were substantially higher than prevailing market rates.

The future of the second airport assumes importance as passenger traffic at Chennai airport continues to grow rapidly. The existing airport currently handles more than 2.2 crore passengers annually. Following the completion of ongoing modernisation and expansion works, its capacity is expected to increase to 3.5 crore passengers a year.

The Parandur airport project had been envisaged as a major aviation hub with the capacity to handle up to 10 crore passengers annually. The plan includes two runways, terminal buildings, taxiways, apron facilities and a dedicated cargo terminal.

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