Actor Vijay addresses the Parandur Greenfield Airport Project Issue

In August 2022, The government of Tamil Nadu with an estimated amount of Rs. 20,000 crore announced to building second airport in Chennai, Kancheepuram district under the name the Greenfield Airport Project. The project will be completed in 2028 and will be open to people.

Key Details of the project:

Project Scope: The airport is planned to span approximately 2,171 hectares across 13 villages, including Ekanapuram. This area comprises 1,386.43 hectares of agricultural land, 577 hectares of water bodies, and 173 hectares of government/ poromboke land. 

Government Approvals: In July 2024, the Union government's Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports recommended site clearance for the Parandur airport, marking a significant step forward for the project. 

Public Opposition:

Despite governmental progress, the project has faced substantial opposition from residents and farmers, particularly in Ekanapuram. Concerns include the potential loss of agricultural land, displacement of communities, and environmental impacts due to the alteration of water bodies. Notably, villagers have passed multiple resolutions against the project, with the tenth such resolution occurring in November 2024. 

Prominent figures have also engaged with the issue. Actor Vijay met with protesting villagers to discuss their concerns, highlighting the project's social impact. 

Government Response:

The Tamil Nadu government has initiated measures to address these concerns, including the formation of a high-level committee to evaluate environmental impacts and the socio-economic implications for affected communities. Additionally, plans for infrastructure development, such as multiple metro rail stations in Parandur, are underway to integrate the new airport with Chennai's urban framework. 

Today, January 20, 2025, actor-politician Vijay, founder and president of the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), visited Podavur near Parandur to express solidarity with farmers opposing the proposed Parandur Greenfield Airport project. 

Addressing the gathering, Vijay criticized the ruling DMK government for pursuing the airport project at the expense of local agriculture and water bodies, labeling the initiative as 'anti-people.' He highlighted the inconsistency in the DMK's stance, noting that while in opposition, the party opposed projects like the 8-lane expressway and tungsten mining in Madurai, yet now supports the Parandur airport project. 

Vijay emphasized that he is not against the development or new airports per se, but opposes projects that destroy vital farmlands and water resources. He assured the protesting farmers of his unwavering support and indicated that TVK would consider legal avenues to challenge the project. 

This visit marks Vijay's first direct public interaction as TVK's president since the party's formation in February 2024. His engagement with the Parandur farmers underscores his commitment to addressing local concerns and advocating for sustainable development. 

Actor-politician Vijay has leveled several specific accusations against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government concerning the proposed Parandur Greenfield Airport project:

1. Destruction: He highlighted that DMK is right now wiping out nearly 90 percent of the farmland, 13 village people’s residences, and water bodies. He calls these actions “ anti-people”  

2. Contradiction: Vijay here recalls that DMK is not working consistently. He recalled the public about the supporting hand DMK gave to Arittapatti village near Madurai in opposing the Tungsten mining project. DMK spoke of environmental concerns. However, now in power, the DMK supports the Parandur airport project, which poses similar threats to the environment. 

3. Alleged Gains from the Project: Vijay alleged that the DMK government stands to gain from the airport project, implying potential conflicts of interest or corruption.

These accusations underscore Vijay's stance that the DMK's support for the Parandur airport project is detrimental to local communities and the environment, and may involve ulterior motives.

 Authors Bio 

Ayesha Jumana A R is a dedicated content writer specializing in creative content, blogs, SEO-optimised articles, and product descriptions. She has earned recognition at the national level for critical writing, contributed to the Assist World Record for Spill Poetry, and received multiple state and district-level prizes for her poetry. Her work is featured in the anthology An Invisible Bond, available on Amazon.