Tamil Nadu govt to look for new airport site

The Tamil Nadu government will explore, with officials and experts, the possibility of finding an alternative site for the proposed greenfield airport near Chennai, Minister for Energy Resources and Law R. Nirmalkumar said/

He said the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam stood firm in its opposition to the project planned at Parandur.

Speaking to reporters after the Governor’s address to the Assembly, Mr. Nirmalkumar said: “The first field-level protest of our Chief Minister [as the TVK president] began at Parandur.

“We are firm in that stand. But we are not opposed to development or to an airport.

“Why should waterbodies and cultivable land be destroyed for a development project? We will consider an alternative site for the project, discuss it with the Chief Minister, and then an announcement will be made.”

The Minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of speculation that the TVK government was planning to drop the airport project at Parandur, nearly 70 km from Chennai.

On Jan. 20, 2025, Mr. Vijay went to the Kancheepuram district and met villagers protesting against the project.