After Scrapping Parandur Airport, Tamil Nadu Govt to Explore Industrial Use of Acquired Land

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister S. Keerthana told the Assembly on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) that the State government would examine alternative industrial projects on the land acquired for the scrapped Parandur Greenfield Airport project in Kancheepuram district, while ensuring that the livelihoods of local residents are not affected.

Responding during the debate on the Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department, Ms. Keerthana said the government would take steps to generate employment and promote economic growth in the Parandur region. She also said work was underway for an elevated road connecting the Tambaram-Maduravoyal bypass to the proposed new terminal at Chennai airport.

The debate saw a disagreement over data. DMK MLA S. Austin cited figures from a website comparing investments attracted by Tamil Nadu and other States in the first quarters of the financial years 2021-22 and 2026-27. Ms. Keerthana objected, terming the data incorrect and saying that discussing unverified figures in the House could mislead investors.

Later, Mr. Austin asked whether investors would not similarly be misled when Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced in the Assembly under Rule 110 on August 24 that the Parandur project was scrapped. He sought a clarification from the Industries Minister.

Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna intervened, saying that if the choice was between the Parandur airport and the interests of farmers, Mr. Vijay would always stand with the farmers. He said the Chief Minister's first public outreach had been to farmers in Parandur. He alleged that the previous DMK government had acted against farmers' interests and invoked the Goondas Act against those opposing the SIPCOT expansion in Tiruvannamalai.

Mr. Arjuna said the present government's position was to find a new site for a second airport and expand the existing Chennai airport infrastructure. He accused the DMK of falsely portraying the scrapping of the Parandur project as a move that would stall the State's industrial growth.

He also claimed that while the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the airport was being prepared, members of a particular political party had bought land nearby for real estate purposes. He said the government would release a White Paper in five years showing that the State's economy would have grown tenfold.

AIADMK floor leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami said that since 90% of the required land had reportedly been acquired and compensation paid, the government should clarify whether it would return the land to the original owners.

Minister for Energy Resources and Law C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar provided a detailed clarification. He said the Parandur project required 5,846 acres, including 3,274 acres of patta land and 1,972 acres of government land. The government had acquired only 1,802 acres, which is 48% of the patta land, not 90%. He added that no land had been acquired in four villages.

Mr. Kumar also explained the capacity of Chennai airport: currently 30 million passengers per year, rising to 35 million after the completion of Terminal 3, and up to 55 million once Terminal 5 is operational.

The debate turned heated when Mr. Kumar named a private real estate company and questioned whether the Parandur airport had been planned for that company's benefit. Members from both DMK and TVK rose and shouted, leading to a ruckus. The proceedings were later adjourned.