What happened: Parandur airport dropped; Terminal 5 planned within Chennai Airport
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the proposed Parandur airport project would be dropped. Vijay also stated that Tamil Nadu would identify alternative sites for a second airport in Chennai.
Vijay said Terminal 5 would be developed in the north-western part of the existing Chennai Airport. Vijay added that Terminal 5 would be developed in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with an approach road and a flyover.
Assembly process and stated reasoning
Opposition members sought to debate the airport issue, but the Speaker declined to allow discussion under Rule 110. Vijay stated that experts were consulted and that alternative sites were identified to minimise damage to farmland and human settlements.
C. Joseph Vijay referred to a visit to Parandur in 2025 to express solidarity with protesting farmers. Vijay also referred to an earlier announcement opposing the Parandur project at Vikravandi.
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