Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Rajya Sabha that the Tamil Nadu government has not formally asked the centre to shift the proposed second Chennai airport from Parandur. Land acquisition has been halted, leaving the project on hold.

  • Tamil Nadu has not sent a formal request to the centre to move the Parandur airport site.
  • The Ministry of Civil Aviation gave in‑principle approval to TIDCO in April 2025.
  • Land acquisition for the project is currently paused, putting the airport on hold.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol responded to a question raised by DMK MP P. Wilson in the Rajya Sabha, stating that the Tamil Nadu government has not yet approached the centre to shift the proposed second Chennai airport from Parandur.

He noted that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) granted in‑principle approval to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) in April 2025. According to TIDCO’s September 2024 application, Phase I of the project was estimated at roughly ₹10,500 crore.

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Responsibility for executing such airport projects—including land acquisition, funding, and environmental clearances—lies with the developer or the state government. The Tamil Nadu government has now paused land acquisition for the Parandur airport, and no official government order has been issued to cancel the project outright.

This stance reflects the political dynamics in the state, where Chief Minister Vijay had earlier hinted at scrapping the project, while the centre maintains its initial approval. Meanwhile, local communities and environmental groups have begun voicing concerns over the project's impact.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the delay in finalizing the airport location could impact regional connectivity, investment inflows, and the broader “Make in India” aviation agenda, potentially causing a ripple effect on neighboring states’ infrastructure plans.

“The stalling of the Parandur airport underscores a coordination gap between state and centre, which could slow down India’s infrastructure momentum.” – Aviation expert Dr. Anita Roy
Did You Know?: The Parandur site was originally earmarked for a mineral extraction project in 2020 before being repurposed for an airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will Tamil Nadu eventually submit a request to shift the airport site?
A: No official indication has been made yet, though political pressure within the state is mounting.

Q2: Which economic sectors could suffer from the project’s delay?
A: Tourism, logistics, and aerospace manufacturing are likely to see reduced investment prospects.