Following its decision to scrap the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project, the Tamil Nadu Government will seek the assistance of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to identify alternative sites for a new airport to serve Chennai.
The decision comes after the State Government formally dropped the Parandur project, which had been planned as Chennai’s second airport. The proposed airport had faced opposition from local communities, particularly over land acquisition, agricultural land and environmental concerns.
The government has now decided to explore alternative locations that can support Chennai’s long-term aviation requirements while minimising the impact on agricultural land, water bodies and residential areas. AAI’s technical expertise is expected to be sought in evaluating potential sites and determining their suitability for the development of a greenfield airport.
The Parandur project, proposed in Kancheepuram district, was envisaged as a major expansion of Chennai’s aviation infrastructure, with the objective of meeting rising passenger and cargo demand. However, delays in land acquisition and concerns raised by affected communities posed challenges to its progress.
With Chennai’s air traffic continuing to grow, the State Government has indicated that the requirement for a second airport remains. In the interim, expansion of the existing Chennai International Airport at Meenambakkam is also being pursued to augment capacity.
The move to identify a fresh site is expected to restart the process of planning Chennai’s second airport. The State will need to balance the city’s growing aviation requirements with land availability, environmental considerations, connectivity and the concerns of local communities while selecting the new location.
The involvement of AAI is likely to be significant as Tamil Nadu evaluates potential sites and works towards developing a long-term aviation infrastructure plan for the Chennai region.
