Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president B. Manickam Tagore welcomed the state government's move to scrap the Parandur airport project, citing factual evidence and official records. He stressed that the decision aligns with the 2022 AAI feasibility report and demanded pending compensation and transparent community consultation.
- Congress backs cancellation on factual grounds.
- AAI’s 2022 feasibility report flagged water‑logging issues.
- Party demands release of 30% pending compensation and genuine community consultation.
B. Manickam Tagore, president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), welcomed the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to cancel the Parandur Airport project on Monday. He said the Congress support is “based squarely on the facts and the government’s own records.”
Historical Background
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) submitted a feasibility report in March 2022 that highlighted significant challenges at the Parandur site: more than a quarter of the land was occupied by irrigation tanks and a 201‑hectare man‑made lake lay just 1.4 km from the boundary. The report warned that the terrain was low‑lying and prone to water‑logging.
When the TVK‑led government announced the cancellation in 2026, it cited the same reasons—low‑lying, water‑logged land—already documented three years earlier. The decision also responded to a seven‑year, 1,000‑day protest by the residents of Ekanapuram, who argued that the project threatened their land, water, and livelihoods.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the cancellation underscores a rising demand for transparent land‑acquisition policies in India, especially for large‑scale infrastructure that impacts vulnerable communities.
“Proceeding with mega‑projects without independent social impact assessments undermines democratic principles,” says environmental lawyer Dr. Raghav Shetty.
Project Comparison
| Metric | Parandur | Pannur |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Chennai | 62 km | 27.6 km |
| Families displaced | ≈1,005 | ≈250 |
| Earthwork required | ~2× | ~1× |
| Estimated cost | Higher | Lower |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary reason for cancelling the Parandur airport? The 2022 AAI feasibility report identified extensive water‑logging and land‑use conflicts as insurmountable challenges.
What does Congress demand moving forward? Clear resolution of land status within three months, immediate release of the remaining 30% compensation, and a transparent, independent social impact assessment for any future airport site.
