Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s decision to scrap the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project has triggered a fresh political confrontation with former Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin. Stalin has described the move as an “irreversible setback” for Tamil Nadu’s growth and warned that abandoning the project could push the state’s development back by several years.
Vijay announced the decision in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday, saying the state would abandon plans for the airport at Parandur and instead identify an alternative location. His government said the decision was driven by concerns over agricultural land, water bodies, wetlands and the livelihoods of residents in Parandur and surrounding villages. Vijay argued that development should not come at the cost of farmers and local communities.
The proposed airport was conceived as Chennai’s second major airport to meet the rapidly growing metropolitan region’s aviation requirements. The project was expected to involve an investment of around ₹20,000 crore, with a planned capacity of up to 100 million passengers annually. The Parandur site had been selected after evaluating alternatives, and the Centre had granted in-principle approval for the project in April 2025.
Stalin, however, has argued that scrapping the project after years of planning and land-acquisition efforts would have serious economic consequences. He said Tamil Nadu’s interests cannot be compromised for what he termed “petty political considerations.” He also questioned the manner in which the announcement was made in the Assembly, arguing that there was little opportunity for debate.
The controversy highlights a difficult policy dilemma. Chennai urgently needs additional aviation capacity as passenger traffic, manufacturing, logistics and international business expand. Tamil Nadu is one of India’s major industrial centres, hosting large automobile, electronics and manufacturing operations. Industry representatives have also stressed the need for better airport infrastructure to support future economic growth.
At the same time, opposition from farmers and concerns about wetlands make the Parandur location politically and environmentally sensitive.
Vijay has said his government is not abandoning the idea of a second airport. Instead, it plans to identify a new site that can accommodate Chennai’s future needs while minimising displacement and environmental damage. The challenge now will be to find that balance without allowing Tamil Nadu’s next airport project to be delayed for another decade.
