- CM Vijay announced the government's decision to drop the Parandur airport project and identify alternative sites for a new Chennai airport.
- A new Terminal 5 will be developed in the north-western area of Chennai airport in collaboration with AAI, along with an approach road and a flyover.
- The main Opposition DMK sought to speak, but Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar refused a debate under Rule 110; DMK members walked out after the Speaker stood his ground.
- Former Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said he was not seeking to debate but wanted to make a clarification.
- The CM said he had consulted experts and identified alternative sites without causing much damage to farmland and human settlements; the site will be finalised after technical feasibility and departmental consultations.
- The CM stated that an airport should not be built at Parandur as it would affect vast tracts of farmland and human settlements, accusing the previous government of trying to create an airport at the cost of farmers.
- Chennai airport currently handles 30 million passengers a year, increasing to 35 million after Terminal 3, and Terminal 5 will add another 55 million capacity annually.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced on August 24, 2026, the cancellation of the controversial Parandur airport project, prioritizing the protection of farmland and human settlements. He stated that alternative sites for a new airport would be identified after thorough consultations with experts.16789
In a *suo motu* statement made in the Assembly, Vijay emphasized the importance of balancing industrial development with environmental concerns. He noted, “An airport should not be built at Parandur as it would affect vast tracts of farmland and human settlements.” The Chief Minister recalled his visit to Parandur in 2025, where he expressed solidarity with protesting farmers.
The announcement also included plans for Terminal 5 at Chennai airport, which will be developed in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This new terminal is expected to increase the airport's capacity from 30 million to 35 million passengers annually with the completion of Terminal 3, and by an additional 55 million passengers once Terminal 5 is operational. Vijay stated, “It will improve the services and transport facilities until a new airport is completed.”21011
The decision faced opposition from the DMK party, which attempted to debate the issue but was denied by the Speaker of the Assembly, leading to a walkout by DMK members. Former Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu sought clarification rather than a debate, highlighting the contentious nature of the announcement.5
“The decision follows CM Vijay's 2025 visit to Parandur to support protesting farmers, and he accused the previous government of trying to build an airport at the cost of farmers. The DMK walked out after Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar refused a debate under Rule 110.”
