Chennai: The proposed Parandur Greenfield Airport project near Chennai has taken a major step forward, with the Tamil Nadu government completing the acquisition of 1,100 acres of land across 17 villages in Kancheepuram district.

According to a Times of India report, the government has so far paid Rs 680 crore in compensation to landowners and registered 1,075 sale deeds in the last four months. The registration process was carried out through special camps organized by the revenue and land acquisition departments.

Officials said that those who handed over their land to the government received the payment on the same day via bank transfer, making the process smooth and transparent. Many villagers reportedly agreed voluntarily to part with their land, expressing satisfaction with the compensation offered.

The compensation amount ranges from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 1.1 crore per acre, depending on the guideline value of the land. In addition, affected families are also being offered employment opportunities and other benefits as part of the rehabilitation package.

Out of the 5,000 acres required for the project, around 1,500 acres are already under government control. With more than 1,000 acres now acquired, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), the project’s nodal agency has taken possession of nearly half the total land.

“We want to complete substantial land acquisition by February,” said TIDCO Chairman Sandeep Nanduri.

The Rs 27,000-crore airport will be developed in four phases, and construction for the first phase is expected to begin next year.

For now, the government has allowed farmers to continue agricultural activities on the acquired land until construction begins. “Most of the lands acquired are vacant. Owners will be given notice in advance to hand over the land when required,” a district official told ToI.

Meanwhile, TIDCO is also preparing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Once these are completed, draft bid documents for the airport will be submitted to the Union government for approval.

However, some resistance still continues in Ekanapuram village, where residents have refused to give up around 905 acres of land. Local protest leader Subramanian said that the villagers plan to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to protect nearby water bodies and farmland.

The Parandur Greenfield Airport, once completed, is expected to become Chennai’s second major airport, easing air traffic pressure on the existing Chennai International Airport and supporting the region’s growing passenger and cargo demand.