SynopsisTamil Nadu plans to establish a new international airport near Chennai to meet growing passenger and cargo demand, with alternative sites to be identified and assessed by the Airports Authority of India. The plan follows the state government's decision to abandon the proposed Parandur airport project over environmental and livelihood concerns.Listen to this article in summarized formatReutersTamil Nadu will identify a new site for an international airport near Chennai after dropping the Parandur project over environmental and livelihood concerns. (In file photo: CM C Joseph Vijay)The Tamil Nadu government plans to establish a new international airport near Chennai to meet rising passenger and cargo demand from the city and surrounding districts, according to the state's Industries Policy Note.The government will identify alternative locations for the airport in consultation with experts. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will conduct feasibility studies for the shortlisted sites, following which the state will take necessary steps to establish the airport.Also read: Tamil Nadu scraps Parandur airport planThe policy note also outlines plans to expand capacity at the existing Chennai airport in Meenambakkam as passenger and cargo traffic increases.AAI plans new passenger-handling systemAAI has planned a new passenger-handling system on the north-west side of the existing Chennai airport to manage higher passenger and cargo volumes more efficiently.The airport operator has sought the Tamil Nadu government's permission to lay a road connecting the proposed passenger-handling system with the national highway.The state government said it would provide all necessary assistance to AAI for implementing the project.The policy note said the expansion would enhance services at Chennai airport, alongside the establishment of a new airport.Parandur project dropped over local concernsThe announcement comes amid a political controversy over the proposed greenfield international airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district.Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had on Monday announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly under Rule 110 that his government would abandon the Parandur airport project and identify an alternative location.Vijay cited severe environmental concerns, the threat to agricultural land and the potential loss of local livelihoods. He said the airport would instead be relocated to a site where the impact on farms and residential settlements would be minimal.The chief minister said a second airport was necessary to meet Chennai's long-term passenger, cargo and industrial requirements, but added that development should not come at the expense of local communities.Also read: MK Stalin, Annamalai question TVK govt over project cancellationVijay said he had visited Eganapuram and other villages on January 20, 2025, and heard the concerns of residents protesting against the proposed airport at Parandur and 12 surrounding villages."I stand firmly with the people protesting against the airport to be established in Chennai's Parandur and 12 surrounding villages," Vijay said.The decision drew criticism from the opposition DMK and BJP. DMK president and former chief minister MK Stalin described it as an "irreversible setback" to Tamil Nadu's growth.The Civil Aviation Ministry had granted in-principle approval in April 2025 for setting up the proposed international greenfield airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district.(With inputs from PTI)Read More News on...moreless