Vijay to lead protest march against controversial Parandur airport on January 20

Chennai: Tamil superstar and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Vijay is set to lead a protest march in Eganapuram village on January 20 against the proposed greenfield airport, which is poised to become Chennai's second airport. The planned airport has sparked considerable opposition from local residents and environmental groups.

Vijay has formally requested permission to visit Eganapuram village, located in the Kanchipuram district, where the airport is set to be constructed. The protest aims to highlight the ongoing resistance from residents of approximately 20 villages who have been protesting the project since 2022.

The Tamil superstar sought permission to hold the meeting either on January 19 or 20. The Kanchipuram Police granted approval for the protest to be held on January 20.

Preparations underway

TVK office-bearers have already begun preparations for the event, working closely with the protest committee's leaders. On Pongal day, two TVK state office-bearers, Jagannathan and another member, visited Eganapuram and identified five acres of land for the gathering. 

On Friday, TVK General Secretary N Anand supervised the levelling of a vacant plot near the Ambedkar statue in Eganapuram village, where Vijay is expected to address the protesting locals.

Opposition to the Greenfield Airport

The proposed greenfield airport at Parandur, which was announced by the Union government in August 2022, has faced significant resistance from villagers. Residents of Eganapuram, one of the largest affected villages, have expressed concerns about the environmental and agricultural consequences of the project.

Local protests have centred around the destruction of fertile agricultural land and eco-sensitive water bodies, which are seen as vital to the region’s livelihood and ecosystems. The greenfield airport project requires the acquisition of 5,746 acres across 20 villages, with the government planning to complete the airport by 2028.

Ongoing protests

Since the announcement, residents have continued to stage vehement protests, including nighttime demonstrations that marked their 900th day on January 10. The villagers have also boycotted grama sabha meetings and local elections, passing resolutions demanding the scrapping of the project.

“We are against the airport, as it will destroy our fertile land and water bodies,” one of the protestors said. The community remains united in their opposition, despite the various restrictions imposed by authorities.

Police restrictions

The police have frequently restricted access to the protesting villages, setting up barricades and checking vehicles to prevent outsiders from entering. Several protest groups, including the BJP, PMK, Puthiya Thamizhagam, and anti-corruption group Arappor Iyakkam, have had their permission for protest marches denied or revoked.

Government's stance

The Tamil Nadu Revenue Department has stated that the land acquisition process will only proceed after thorough consultations with the affected communities and discussions at the gram sabha level. However, the villagers remain steadfast in their opposition to the airport project, with no sign of their protests subsiding.

IANS