Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has scrapped the proposed greenfield Parandur airport to protect agricultural land and local human settlements [1, 2].
The decision resolves a period of intense friction between the state government and local farming communities. By canceling the project, the administration avoids the displacement of residents and the loss of vast tracts of farmland that would have been required for the new facility [1, 4].
During an assembly announcement on July 22, 2026 [2], Vijay expressed his support for those opposing the project. "I stand firmly with protesting farmers," Vijay said [2].
To address the need for increased aviation capacity, the state will instead focus on the existing infrastructure in the capital. The government announced the development of Terminal 5 at Chennai airport, which is expected to add capacity for 55 million passengers per year [5].
Officials noted that the land at Parandur was not entirely suitable for the technical requirements of a runway. A Tamil Nadu government spokesperson said much of the acquired land at Parandur is unsuitable for a runway and would affect agricultural land [1].
While the immediate threat to the Parandur village has been removed, the government has not abandoned the idea of a second airport for the region. The administration said it will seek an alternative site that ensures minimal impact on farmers, and their livelihoods [1, 3].
This pivot to Terminal 5 allows the state to scale its aviation hub without the immediate legal and social hurdles associated with land acquisition in Parandur. The expansion aims to alleviate congestion at the current international gateway while the search for a more viable greenfield location continues [3, 5].
“"I stand firmly with protesting farmers."”
The cancellation of the Parandur project signals a shift in the Tamil Nadu government's approach to infrastructure, prioritizing social stability and agricultural preservation over rapid greenfield expansion. By pivoting to the Terminal 5 expansion, the state is opting for a lower-risk, incremental increase in capacity to meet passenger demand while attempting to avoid the political fallout associated with forced land acquisition.
