New Delhi: Chennai’s long-awaited second airport at Parandur is set to receive an ‘in-principle approval’ from the Union government after high-level talks in New Delhi next week, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has confirmed.
The proposed greenfield airport has sparked strong opposition from local villagers and farmers in Parandur and nearby areas, who fear the project will lead to the loss of their fertile land and homes.
Speaking at Chennai airport, the Minister clarified that the choice of site for the airport lies with the state government. The central government’s role is to develop the project and increase the number of airports across the country, as per The Financial Express. Furthermore, Naidu also addressed speculation about the privatisation of Chennai International Airport. He clarified that a proposal was submitted before the general elections to privatise 11 airports, but the final decision now rests with the Cabinet. He reassured that Chennai airport remains a top priority and any challenges will be dealt with promptly.
According to The New Indian Express, on the broader topic of privatisation, he emphasised that only airport operations are being leased out, while the land remains with the central government. “The goal is to enhance services and attract investment, ultimately benefiting passengers,” he added.
The Tamil Nadu government has been vocal against airport privatisation. As per a policy note tabled in the state assembly on April 19, 2022, the state insists that if the Union government transfers AAI-acquired land to a private entity, it must share the revenue or value with the state proportionately.
Naidu also shared updates on airport expansion, confirming that the construction of Terminal 3 (T3) will be completed by March 2026. “The airport currently handles 22 million passengers annually, but we have the capacity to expand this to 35 million,” he said.
