Dropping Parandur airport project is not change, MK Stalin said on Monday, criticising CM Vijay's decision to drop the proposed plan. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK supremo MK Stalin on Monday criticised CM C Joseph Vijay's decision to drop the proposal to build Chennai's second airport in Parandur, describing the move as an irreversible setback.File photo: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin (PTI)Dropping Parandur airport project is not change, MK Stalin said. His comments come after Vijay announced scrapping of the second Chennai airport project in Kancheepuram's Parandur, about 60km west of Tamil Nadu's capital, with an estimated cost of ₹20,000 crore and an annual capacity of 100 million passengers. The land in Parandur was believed to be unsuitable for runways because of water bodies. Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has said it accords top priority to the environment.The proposed airport triggered protests, with residents maintaining the greenfield project would affect their livelihood as paddy is grown on land proposed for it. The protests lasted for a year. In January 2025, Vijay joined the protest at Parandur, over a year before his TVK contested its first election and was voted to power.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs.