- On August 24, 2026, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced that the plan to develop the Parandur airport in the Kancheepuram district will be dropped.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the cancellation of the ₹20,000 crore Parandur airport project, emphasizing the need to protect agricultural land and local communities.1
The decision was influenced by severe environmental concerns, including the potential destruction of 33 water bodies and the impact on 2,605 acres of wetlands.
Farmers had staged fierce protests for over a year, fearing displacement of nearly 1,000 families and loss of their livelihoods.
“I stand firmly with the people protesting against the airport,” Vijay stated, highlighting the importance of agrarian livelihoods.
The Parandur site was deemed unsuitable for an airport due to its ecological significance, with experts warning that paving over natural drainage systems would exacerbate urban flooding in Chennai.
The Chief Minister noted that while Chennai's Meenambakkam airport currently handles 30 million passengers annually, plans for a new terminal, Terminal 5, will increase capacity by an additional 55 million passengers per year.
Vijay assured that alternative sites for a new airport are being considered, aiming to minimize damage to farmland and settlements.
The project was initially proposed as a greenfield airport on 5,746 acres of undeveloped land, but the decision to scrap it reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability and community welfare.
“The project, located in Kancheepuram district, was intended to serve as Chennai's second airport. The announcement on August 24, 2026, follows a review that cited three specific reasons for the cancellation, though the details are not disclosed in the titles.”
News18
