TVK-DMK Face-Off in Tamil Nadu Assembly Over Parandur Airport Project Cancellation

A heated exchange took place in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday between members of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the state government’s decision to abandon the proposed Parandur Airport project. Law Minister Nirmal Kumar alleged that certain individuals had benefited from the proposed airport project, referring to them as “G Square Maapilai” during his remarks. PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna also alleged that real estate operators allegedly connected to a political party had acquired large tracts of land around Parandur even before the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the airport was made public.

Arjuna further claimed that a particular company had purchased land in the Parandur area and subsequently entered into real estate activities. The allegations triggered a sharp response from DMK MLA Thangam Thennarasu, who questioned the government over who was actually benefiting from the proposed airport. Taking a swipe at the Law Minister, he asked, “For which Lottery son-in-law is the new airport project being developed?” He added that the Opposition could respond in the same manner if such political attacks continued.

The issue also came up when AIADMK leader and MLA Edappadi K. Palaniswami sought clarification on the future of land already acquired for the project. In response, Nirmal Kumar said the government had acquired only around 1,700 acres so far and rejected Thangam Thennarasu’s claim that nearly 90% of the required land had been acquired. The political confrontation comes days after the Tamil Nadu government announced that it would abandon the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district.

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced the decision in the Assembly under Rule 110 on Monday, saying that a new location would be considered for Chennai’s second airport. He cited concerns over the environmental impact of the Parandur proposal, the loss of agricultural land and the possible effect on the livelihoods of local residents. Vijay maintained that Chennai needs another airport to handle its growing passenger, industrial and cargo requirements, but argued that development should not come at the cost of communities living in the affected areas.

He also reiterated his support for residents who had opposed the Parandur proposal, saying he stood with people protesting against the project in Parandur and 12 surrounding villages. The Chief Minister had previously visited Eganapuram and other affected villages in January 2025, where he met residents involved in the protests against the airport.

Despite scrapping the Parandur proposal, the Tamil Nadu government has said it remains committed to developing a second international airport near Chennai. A fresh site will be explored with the assistance of experts, while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is expected to conduct feasibility assessments of shortlisted locations.

The Parandur project had received in-principle approval from the Civil Aviation Ministry in April 2025 for the development of a Greenfield international airport. The decision to abandon the project has intensified the political debate in Tamil Nadu. DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin criticised the move, calling it an “irreversible setback” for the state’s development.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.