Parandur airport scrapped: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay cancels greenfield project, announces Terminal 5
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced on August 24, 2026, that the State government has dropped the proposed Parandur airport project in Kancheepuram district. The decision comes nearly four years after the project was first announced, and follows sustained opposition from local farmers and villagers who faced displacement.
The Parandur airport was envisioned as a greenfield international airport spread over 5,746 acres, to be built on undeveloped land. It was intended to serve as Chennai's second major airport, with an estimated Phase 1 expenditure of ₹10,500 crore.
Announcing the cancellation under Rule 110 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, CM Vijay also unveiled an alternative plan: the development of a new Terminal 5 at the existing Chennai airport, in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The terminal, along with an approach road and flyover, is expected to boost the airport's annual passenger handling capacity from 30 million to 55 million.
“I have consulted experts on the creation of a new airport, and a few alternative sites have been identified without causing much damage to farmland settlements,” CM Vijay said. “Until a new airport is completed, Terminal 5 will improve services and transport facilities.”
The decision has drawn political reactions. Opposition leaders from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) sought a debate in the Assembly on the cancellation, but Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar ruled that an announcement made under Rule 110 cannot be debated. In protest, DMK members walked out.
The project had faced resistance from local communities since 2022. Farmers and villagers in Parandur protested the acquisition of land across 13 villages and the forced displacement of nearly 1,000 families. Their concerns over loss of agricultural land and livelihood had intensified over the years.
Here is a timeline of key events in the Parandur airport project:
August 2022: The Union Civil Aviation Ministry announced that the State government had finalised Parandur over Pannur as the site for Chennai's second international airport.
September 2024: The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) submitted a detailed proposal to the Centre, including a multi-phase execution plan and a projected cost of ₹10,500 crore for Phase 1.
January 2025: The second phase commenced under the central Greenfield Airports Policy (GFA), with the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence reviewing clearances.
March 2025: The project was officially recommended to the Civil Aviation Ministry for approval.
April 2025: The Ministry of Civil Aviation granted in-principle approval to TIDCO to begin land pooling, master planning, and bidding for the 5,746-acre site.
March 2026: The Tamil Nadu government designated the project as a “Special Project” under the Tamil Nadu Land Consolidation Act.
August 2026: CM Vijay announced the cancellation of the project, citing the need to avoid damage to farmlands and settlements. He said alternative sites for a new airport are being explored, including a project near Hosur.
The cancellation marks a significant shift in the State's aviation infrastructure strategy. While the immediate expansion through Terminal 5 is expected to ease congestion at Chennai airport, the long-term plan for a second airport remains open. The State government's approach to balancing infrastructure development with agrarian concerns will be closely watched in the coming months.
