• By Imran Zafar
  • Wed, 09 Apr 2025 10:18 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

The Civil Aviation Ministry granted in-principle approval for a new Greenfield airport in Parandur, Tamil Nadu, marking a major step forward in enhancing aviation infrastructure in Chennai. This upcoming facility will be the city’s second airport, located about 70 km from central Chennai and 42 km from the existing Meenambakkam airport.

Announcing the development, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the new airport will significantly strengthen regional connectivity, reaffirming the NDA government's commitment to expanding aviation infrastructure across major cities. 

"Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, growing passenger demand is being addressed by strengthening airport capacity across the country, especially in mega cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai through the development of second airports," he said in a statement on X.

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The approval for the Parandur airport followed a two-stage clearance process, site clearance granted in July 2024 and in-principle approval provided in April 2025. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) submitted its application in September 2024, following the site clearance.

Spread across 4,971 acres, the airport will encompass Parandur and nearby villages. The overall cost is estimated at Rs 27,400 crore, with the first phase expected to cost Rs 11,445 crore. Construction is scheduled to begin by January 2026 and is targeted for completion within two years. Plans include three mid-field terminal buildings to handle increased passenger flow.

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The bidding process for construction will commence soon, inviting major players in the infrastructure and aviation sectors. TIDCO will coordinate the project in collaboration with the central government.

Despite the progress, the project has drawn criticism from residents and environmental groups since its announcement in 2022. The airport requires 2,171 hectares of land, including 1,386.43 hectares of agricultural land and 577 hectares of water bodies. Farmers and activists have expressed concerns over displacement and ecological impact, though the government has pledged to address these issues while maintaining project momentum.