The state has shortlisted Manellore and Cheyyur, which are now being studied by the Airports Authority of India as the government works to meet Chennai’s immediate and future aviation needs. Barely days after fulfilling his key election promise to scrap the Rs 27,000-crore Parandur project, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has moved quickly to find a new site for Chennai’s second airport.
Earlier reporting noted: The TVK-led government has identified Manellore and Cheyyur as potential sites for the proposed airport, India Today reported. After dropping the Parandur plan, the state government moved quickly to find alternative locations. Manellore and Cheyyur were shortlisted within a week. the state government is expanding Chennai International Airport at Meenambakkam to meet immediate travel needs While the search for a new airport site continues. This will provide additional capacity while the government works on its longer-term plan for a second airport. The DMK has accused the government of delaying important infrastructure, hurting investor confidence and affecting Chennai’s economic growth. The opposition has also alleged that top advisers influenced the decision in favour of airport projects in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The BJP has warned that starting the airport process again could take many years.
The previous DMK government selected Parandur in Kancheepuram district in 2022 as the site for Chennai’s second airport. However, the Rs 27,000-crore project faced more than 1,000 days of continuous protests from local farmers and residents. The government expects the expansion to increase annual passenger capacity from 35 million to 55 million. Earlier reporting noted: Parandur out, Manellore or Cheyyur in: Vijay govt shortlists 2 sites for second Chennai airport Tamil Nadu has moved quickly to identify a new location for Chennai’s second airport, with the state government shortlisting two sites just days after scrapping the controversial Parandur greenfield airport project.
Party leaders said fresh feasibility studies, land acquisition and environmental clearances could set Chennai’s development back by a decade. Earlier reporting noted: The two locations were shortlisted within a week and have been recommended to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for feasibility studies, the report said.
TVK defends scrapping Parandur airport project
The Vijay government has defended its decision to scrap Parandur.
It said economic growth should not come at the cost of destroying water bodies or affecting farmers’ livelihoods.
