Vijay Scraps Parandur Airport Plan; Seeks Alternative Sites
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced in the State Assembly on Monday, August 24, 2026, that the proposed airport project at Parandur in Kancheepuram district has been canceled.
The decision was taken mainly because of concerns about the impact of the project on local residents. A large number of people, including farmers, were expected to be affected if the airport was built at Parandur. The government decided to avoid large-scale displacement and look for other possible locations.
The proposed Parandur airport was planned as a major infrastructure project to meet the growing air travel needs of Chennai and nearby areas. However, the project had faced concerns from local communities, particularly over the possible loss of agricultural land and homes.
Explaining the government’s decision, Chief Minister Vijay said that Chennai’s existing airport at Meenambakkam, which is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), currently has the capacity to handle around 30 million passengers every year.
However, passenger numbers are increasing steadily. More people are choosing air travel, and the demand for convenient air services is growing. The increase in air cargo movement has also created additional pressure on the existing airport.
The Chief Minister said that Tamil Nadu still needs a new airport facility in the Chennai region to meet future demand. Instead of continuing with the Parandur proposal, the government will now examine other possible locations.
Officials have been asked to identify suitable alternative sites for the proposed airport. The government will consider factors such as land availability, connectivity, passenger convenience, cargo requirements and the impact on local communities before selecting a new location.
The government has also indicated that future development projects should balance economic growth with the interests of people living in the affected areas. Special attention will be given to reducing the displacement of residents and avoiding unnecessary damage to agricultural land.
The cancellation of the Parandur project is expected to bring relief to many residents and farmers who were concerned about losing their homes and land. At the same time, the government will face the challenge of finding a suitable alternative site that can support Chennai’s growing aviation needs.
The search for a new location is expected to continue as Tamil Nadu plans for the future expansion of air travel, passenger services and cargo transportation in the Chennai region.