Chennai: After shelving the controversial Parandur greenfield airport project, the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is exploring Gummidipoondi and Cheyyur as possible sites for Chennai’s second airport, according to sources.

The Tamil Nadu government has begun looking for an alternative location for Chennai’s proposed second airport following the decision to drop the Parandur project.

According to sources, Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district and Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district have emerged as the leading options.

Both locations are in neighbouring areas around Chennai and had previously been considered during earlier discussions on the city's second airport.

The two sites were among 11 locations examined more than seven years ago, but they were not among the four locations shortlisted by the previous DMK government between 2021 and 2026.

The earlier shortlist included Parandur, Pannur, Thiruporur and Padalam, with Parandur eventually selected.

Why was Parandur shelved?

The Parandur airport proposal faced sustained opposition from farmers and local residents concerned about losing agricultural land and homes.

The project required the acquisition of approximately 5,746 acres, making land acquisition one of the central points of the dispute.

Vijay, who leads the TVK government, had made shelving the Parandur project an important electoral commitment. He later announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the government would search for an alternative location.

Vijay said the decision followed his meetings with people opposing the Parandur project and his assessment of their concerns.

He said the government should look for a location where the airport would require minimal displacement and disruption to livelihoods and industries.

He argued that infrastructure development should not result in large numbers of people being forced to leave their homes or lose their livelihoods.

Vijay also criticised the previous DMK government over its decision to locate the airport at Parandur.

DMK questions decision

The DMK has criticised the decision to shelve the Parandur project, particularly because substantial land acquisition had already taken place.

DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu claimed that around 90 per cent of the land acquisition had been completed and that affected villagers had already received compensation.

He also questioned what would happen to land that had already been acquired by the government following the decision to abandon the project.

The government now needs to assess the competing locations before selecting a final site.

Key considerations are expected to include land acquisition, displacement, connectivity, environmental impact, infrastructure requirements and the long-term needs of Chennai's aviation sector.

The shift away from Parandur therefore marks a significant change in the state's approach to Chennai's second airport, with Gummidipoondi and Cheyyur now emerging as possible alternatives.