The Tamil Nadu government led by TVK has shortlisted two locations for a proposed new airport in the state, sources told India Today on Sunday. The development comes shortly after Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay formally cancelled the Parandur airport project.
According to sources, Manellore and Cheyyur have been identified as possible sites for the new airport, with both locations shortlisted within a week.
The state government has recommended the two sites to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for feasibility assessments. The proposed airport is expected to cater to the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA).
Manellore is located around 60 kilometres from Chennai, while Cheyyur is approximately 100 kilometres away.
ROW OVER PARANDUR DECISION
The Vijay government has faced strong criticism from Opposition parties since it announced its decision to abandon the greenfield airport project at Parandur, near Chennai.
Addressing the state Assembly, the Chief Minister said the interests of farmers were a key factor behind the decision.
Vijay acknowledged that Chennai needs a second airport to accommodate the city’s expanding requirements, facilitate industrial growth and boost cargo transportation. However, he stressed that the site should be chosen in a way that causes the least possible disruption to farmland and residential areas.
He also alleged that the previous government proceeded with the Parandur project despite its likely impact on farmers and several settlements.
Parandur, situated near the Chennai-Bengaluru highway, is around 28 km from Sriperumbudur.
VIJAY GOVT'S DEFENCE OF PARANDUR MOVE
The Vijay government has defended its decision to scrap the Parandur greenfield airport, alleging that the previous DMK government acquired land without carrying out an environmental impact assessment or securing the necessary approvals.
During heated discussions in the Assembly last month, Energy Resources and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar rejected the DMK’s claim that 90 per cent of the project had been completed. He pointed out that the proposed site included several water bodies and said no environmental impact assessment had been carried out and environmental clearance had not been obtained.
"The total land requirement for the project is 5,846 acres, including 3,774 acres of private patta land, of which 2,681 acres are fertile agricultural land. Of the 1,972 acres of government land, 1,558 acres consist of water bodies and canals. Only about 1,802 acres, or 48 per cent, have been acquired so far," the minister had said.
Kumar also stated that land acquisition had yet to begin in several villages, including Ekanapuram, Karai, Thandalam and Siruvalur.
His remarks came in response to DMK MLA S Austin, who had criticised the government for dropping the project after, according to the DMK, 90 per cent of the work had already been completed, warning that the decision could result in an economic setback for the state.
