CHENNAI: The proposed greenfield airport at Parandur has been formally abandoned by the Tamil Nadu government, bringing an end to a project that had sparked prolonged protests and intense political debate over its possible impact on farmland and local water resources.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced that his government would not proceed with the airport project, reaffirming his support for residents and farmers who had opposed the proposed development.
“We are dropping the Parandur airport project. I stand firmly with the protesters who opposed it,” Vijay said.
The proposed airport had become a major political issue in Tamil Nadu, particularly during the election campaign. Protesters had raised concerns about the possible loss of multi-crop agricultural land and the impact of the project on waterbodies and the surrounding environment.
Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had strongly opposed the proposed site before coming to power. Following the party’s electoral victory, the new government announced that it would reassess the project and explore other possible locations.
In June, TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar said the government was conducting a detailed review to identify alternative sites that could reduce the impact on fertile agricultural land and local water resources.
While the decision to scrap the Parandur project has brought relief to many of those who had protested against it, the political confrontation surrounding the issue is far from over.
The opposition DMK, which had initiated the airport proposal during its tenure in government, has challenged the Chief Minister over his remarks and allegations surrounding the project.
Senior DMK leader Duraimurugan said the party was prepared to allow the government to examine its records relating to the proposed airport. He also warned that the opposition could consider moving a privilege motion in the Assembly if the Chief Minister failed to substantiate his statements.
“We have no objection to the government examining our files. If the Chief Minister does not do so and continues to make misleading claims, the opposition will consider further action,” Duraimurugan told reporters.
With the Parandur airport plan now officially shelved, attention is likely to shift towards whether the Tamil Nadu government will identify a new location for an airport project and how the political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK develops in the coming days.
