TVK Electricity Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar on Thursday asserted that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay would not grant approval for the proposed Parandur airport project, reiterating the government’s opposition to establishing the airport by destroying water bodies and agricultural land, as reported in ETV Bharat.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat in Chennai after the commencement of the first Assembly session of the TVK government, Nirmal Kumar outlined the government’s policy priorities, responded to opposition criticism, addressed concerns over power outages, and clarified the government’s position on the Parandur airport project.
On the proposed Parandur Greenfield Airport project, Nirmal Kumar reiterated the government’s opposition.
“The Chief Minister continues to maintain his opposition to the Parandur airport project. We will not establish an airport by destroying water bodies,” he said.
Stating that Vijay had launched his political journey from Parandur, the minister said the government remained committed to the concerns raised by local residents and farmers.
“As our Chief Minister began his political journey from Parandur, the TVK government will not grant approval for the Parandur airport project,” he declared.
Nirmal Kumar added that expert committees and government officials were actively examining alternative locations where an airport could be developed without affecting water bodies or destroying fertile agricultural land.
A Death Knell For TN’s Development
For many economists and infrastructure experts, shelving the Parandur airport project could become a major setback for Tamil Nadu’s long-term growth ambitions. Chennai’s existing airport has struggled for years with capacity constraints, congestion and limited scope for expansion. The proposed greenfield airport at Parandur was conceived as a strategic solution that would not only ease pressure on the current airport but also position Chennai as a major aviation and logistics hub.
Airports are more than transportation facilities. They act as economic catalysts, attracting industries, generating employment, boosting tourism, facilitating cargo movement and enhancing global connectivity. Cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Noida are investing heavily in new airports and aviation infrastructure to support future growth and attract investment. In contrast, abandoning Chennai’s second airport risks placing Tamil Nadu at a competitive disadvantage.
The uncertainty has already affected investor sentiment. Real estate developers and businesses that invested in anticipation of the airport now face growing uncertainty, while economic activity in the region has reportedly slowed. Replacing a major international airport project with an industrial park may deliver some benefits, but it is unlikely to match the transformative impact of a large aviation hub.
If shelved without an equally ambitious alternative, the Parandur airport’s cancellation could undermine one of Tamil Nadu’s most significant development opportunities.
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