In the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday, the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the opposition DMK engaged in a heated debate regarding the cancellation of the proposed Parandur airport project. The discussions highlighted the differing viewpoints on the project’s implications for the state’s development and infrastructure plans.
Meanwhile, the DMK claimed that the new airport announced by the TVK government at an alternative site was being developed for a “lottery son-in-law. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will check if the sites are suitable, after which the government will take a final decision, ANI reported. “For which lottery son-in-law is the new airport project being developed? DMK MLA Thangam Thennarasu asked, saying the party could also “pay back in the same currency. The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee has also supported the TVK-led government’s decision. The announcement comes after the Tamil Nadu government dropped the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district following opposition over environmental and livelihood concerns. The airport is reportedly being planned to meet the rising passenger and cargo demand from the city and neighbouring districts.
“The Airport Authority of India’s feasibility report submitted in March 2022 recorded that Parandur was surrounded by water-bodies with more than a quarter of the site covered by irrigation tanks and 201-hectare man-made lake just 1.4 km from the boundary.
He further claimed that a particular company had purchased land around Parandur and was involved in real estate activities, according to the report. After stating that the government would select an alternative site for the airport that “minimises the damage to agricultural land”, CM Vijay has said that new sites will be identified with the help of experts. “A few suitable alternative sites have been selected for the new airport without impacting agricultural lands and residences,” he said. The very reasons cited for cancellation that the land is low-lying and waterlogged,” the Tamil Nadu Congress unit president B Manickam Tagore said. Earlier reporting noted: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay plans new international airport near Chennai after scrapping Parandur project The C Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government is planning to set up a new international airport near Chennai, according to the Industries Policy Note. Earlier reporting noted: The Industries Policy Note also said the Airports Authority of India has planned a new passenger handling system on the north-west side of the existing Chennai airport at Meenambakkam.
Regarding land acquisition, state PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna alleged that realtors linked to a particular political party had already bought huge parcels of land before the announcement of the Parandur airport Detailed Project Report (DPR). Earlier reporting noted: The state will identify new sites with the help of experts.
the DMK responded with the “lottery son-in-law” remark, news agency PTI reported While the Vijay-led party directed the ‘G Square Maapilai’ jibe towards the opposition party. Tamil Nadu law minister Nirmal Kumar mentioned “G Square Maapilai” while referring to those who were allegedly benefitting from it, PTI reported While speaking about the Parandur airport project.
