Parandur Airport News: Annamalai Warns New Site Could Delay Project by 10 Years
Parandur Airport News
The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to scrap the proposed Parandur airport project has triggered a fresh political debate. BJP leader K Annamalai has questioned the move and warned that choosing a new location for Chennai’s second airport could delay the project by at least 10 years.
The proposed Parandur airport had been planned as a major aviation project to meet the future air travel needs of Chennai and surrounding areas. However, the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government recently announced that it would abandon the project after strong opposition from local residents and concerns about agricultural land and water bodies.
K Annamalai said that if the state government decides to build the second airport at another location, it would have to begin several important processes from the beginning.
According to him, the government would first need to identify a suitable site. After selecting the location, it would have to obtain approvals from the Union government and various statutory authorities.
The government would then need to complete the tender process, acquire the required land and obtain the necessary licences before construction and airport operations could begin.
Annamalai said that even if the state government takes an administrative decision quickly, completing all these steps could take at least a decade. He therefore questioned whether abandoning the Parandur project would be in the best interest of Chennai’s future aviation needs.
Annamalai also highlighted limitations at Chennai’s existing airport. He pointed to the airport’s limited land availability, inadequate taxiway infrastructure and shortage of aerobridges.
According to him, these limitations make the development of a second airport important for the city’s long-term aviation requirements. A new airport could provide additional capacity and help Chennai handle increasing passenger and aircraft traffic in the future.The Tamil Nadu government has maintained that it is concerned about the impact of the proposed Parandur project on local communities and agricultural resources.
The Vijay-led government had already indicated that it would review the proposed airport location. The government has been looking at alternatives that could reduce the impact on fertile farmland and water bodies.
The decision to abandon Parandur means that the state may now need to explore another location for Chennai’s second airport.
The issue has become a major political point between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government and opposition parties. Supporters of the Parandur project argue that Chennai needs additional airport capacity, while opponents have raised concerns about the impact on farmers and the environment.
Annamalai’s latest comments add another dimension to the debate, focusing on the time required to establish a new airport at a different location.
The future of Chennai’s second airport will now depend on the Tamil Nadu government’s next steps. If a new site is selected, authorities will have to complete land, regulatory, tender and licensing procedures before construction can move forward. The key question is whether the government can develop an alternative airport without causing a long delay in expanding Chennai’s aviation infrastructure.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
