Tamil Nadu to repurpose 1,700 acres of Parandur airport land for industry
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu has formally scrapped the Parandur greenfield airport after over 1,100 days of village protests — and now plans to turn the acquired 1,700 acres into an industrial zone. The reversal marks a rare instance of sustained grassroots resistance overturning a major infrastructure project, while the question of where Chennai gets its second airport remains unanswered.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay formally cancelled the Parandur greenfield airport in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on 25 August .
The government will repurpose 1,700 acres of acquired land for industrial use, including possible agro-processing units and a SIPCOT estate .
There are no plans to return the land or reverse compensation paid to original landowners.
Residents of Eganapuram protested for more than 1,100 days , passing 16 panchayat resolutions against the project.
The original project covered 5,300 acres across 13 villages and was targeted for completion by 2028 .
A new site for Chennai's second airport is being identified; no location has been finalised.
The Tamil Nadu government is exploring alternative industrial applications for 1,700 acres of land originally acquired for the now-scrapped Parandur greenfield airport, even as the search for a new site for Chennai's second airport continues. The development follows a formal Assembly announcement on Monday, 25 August by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who cited the project's adverse impact on farmland, water bodies, and the livelihoods of local residents.
What the Government Announced
Chief Minister Vijay confirmed in the Assembly that the Parandur airport project has been officially abandoned, ending a proposal that had been in the works since surveys began in 2021 and was formally announced in August 2022. He maintained, however, that Chennai still requires a second airport and committed to identifying a new location with minimal disruption to agricultural land and existing settlements. The existing Chennai airport is also set to undergo expansion.
What Happens to the Acquired Land
Government sources confirmed there is no plan to return the acquired land to original owners or reverse the compensation already paid. Since the parcels were acquired under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, they are legally eligible for uses beyond an airport. The Industries Department has been tasked with preparing a utilisation plan in consultation with other departments.
Options currently under examination include agro-processing units, agriculture-linked ventures, and non-hazardous industries. Establishing a SIPCOT industrial estate on the land is also being considered. A formal roadmap is expected after inter-departmental consultations are completed.
The Protest That Forced the Reversal
The Parandur airport was originally planned across 5,300 acres spanning 13 villages, with a targeted completion date of 2028. It faced sustained and organised opposition from residents who feared the loss of farmland, water bodies, and established communities. Villagers in Eganapuram conducted night protests for more than 1,100 days, passed 16 panchayat resolutions against the project, and boycotted seven village sabha meetings. Families reportedly kept children away from government schools as part of the agitation.
Despite the protests, the previous state government had pressed ahead with land acquisition and drawn up rehabilitation plans, including model housing for displaced families.
Vijay's Pre-Election Promise and What Changed
Chief Minister Vijay, then leading the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in opposition, visited Eganapuram in January 2025 and publicly pledged to cancel the project if his party came to power. After his government assumed office, work on the project slowed markedly. Monday's Assembly announcement formally converted that campaign promise into policy, while keeping alive the broader goal of a second airport for Chennai at an alternative site.
What Comes Next
Officials are currently reviewing possible locations for the new airport, though no site has been finalised. The Chief Minister has held preliminary discussions on the matter, according to sources. The government is expected to announce a roadmap for both the land repurposing and the new airport site search once consultations are concluded.
Point of View
Not courts or opposition parties, forced a state government to abandon a ₹thousands-of-crore project. But the underlying problem has not gone away: Chennai's existing airport is under severe capacity pressure, and the search for a new site now restarts from zero. The decision to repurpose the land for industry rather than return it to farmers will face scrutiny, particularly from the same communities that fought the airport. The government's credibility on the new airport promise will depend entirely on how quickly — and transparently — it identifies an alternative site.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Parandur greenfield airport project cancelled?
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay cited the project's damaging impact on farmland, water resources, and the livelihoods of local residents. The decision followed more than 1,100 days of sustained protests by villagers in Eganapuram and surrounding areas.
What will happen to the 1,700 acres acquired for the Parandur airport?
The Tamil Nadu government plans to repurpose the land for industrial use under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, which permits alternative uses beyond the original purpose. Options include agro-processing units, agriculture-linked ventures, non-hazardous industries, and a possible SIPCOT industrial estate.
Will the acquired land be returned to farmers?
No. Government sources have confirmed there is no proposal to return the acquired land or reverse the compensation already paid to landowners. The land will instead be redirected to industrial purposes.
Will Chennai still get a second airport?
Yes. Chief Minister Vijay has committed to identifying a new site for Chennai's second airport with minimal disruption to agriculture and settlements. Officials are reviewing possible locations, but no site has been finalised as of 25 August.
How long had the Parandur airport project been in the works?
Surveys for the project began in 2021, and it was formally announced in August 2022. Planned across 5,300 acres in 13 villages, it was targeted for completion by 2028 before being formally cancelled in August 2025.
