CM Vijay scraps Parandur airport plan, says new site for Chennai’s second airport to be proposed

The Tamil Nadu government has scrapped the proposed second airport at Parandur near Chennai following years of protests by local residents over land acquisition and its potential impact on agriculture and livelihoods.

Chief Minister Vijay announced on Monday that a new site for Chennai’s second airport would be identified after a detailed technical feasibility assessment by expert teams. He said the government would choose a location where local residents do not oppose the project.

Vijay said the Parandur plan was being dropped to avoid relocating a large number of people and to protect agricultural land in the area. He also criticised the previous DMK government for selecting a densely populated location for the proposed greenfield airport.

Years of Protests Over Parandur Airport

Former Chief Minister MK Stalin announced the Parandur airport project on August 2, 2022, with an estimated cost of ₹20,000 crore. The proposed airport was expected to handle up to 10 crore passengers annually.

Residents of Parandur and neighbouring villages protested for more than a year, arguing that the project would threaten their livelihoods and agricultural land.

In January 2025, Vijay, then president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, joined the protests at Parandur and extended his party’s support to the affected villagers.

Vijay Announces Free LPG Scheme

The Tamil Nadu chief minister also announced the “Annapooranai Super Six” LPG scheme in the Assembly.

Under the scheme, the state government will provide the cost of three LPG cylinders annually to eligible households, with payments directly credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts from Pongal, beginning January 14.

The government will allocate ₹4,000 crore annually for the scheme, which is expected to benefit around 1.3 crore families.

Vijay said families with annual incomes below ₹2.5 lakh, small and marginal farmers, households with differently abled members and other vulnerable groups would be eligible for the benefit.