DMK Chief MK Stalin has slain the decision an “irreversible setback” for Tamil Nadu’s growth by Vijay to pull out of the proposed greenfield project in the Chennai-Piravam airport.
Vijay said on Monday that, due to the protection of agricultural lands and livelihoods of the villagers in and around Parandur, the government has pulled back its plans to set up the airport at the Devanageri Hill. In April 2025, the Civil Aviation Ministry had issued in-principle approval for the project.
In response to Stalin’s declaration, the latter pointed out that it would take Tamil Nadu several years to develop if the project could be cancelled. The land acquisition process was nearing completion, he said after sifting through several alternatives to this location at the airport.
Stalin also wondered how it was announced according to Rule 110 of the Assembly, which directed that no opposition members would get any chance to discuss the issue. His remarks came after DMK legislators staged a walkout when the Speaker did not allow a discussion on the cancellation.
Stalin says the state of Tamil Nadu deserves a world-class airport to promote its rise in electronics and other industries like automobiles. He insisted the failure to launch the Parandur project would force the government to look for a new site and go through some steps again, which involved several rounds of land acquiring, getting approvals, and preparing the ground.
The move has sparked a fresh political tussle between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Opposition DMK. The government has been keen to safeguard the agriculture land and the livelihood of farmers, whereas the DMK has voiced apprehensions about the future infrastructure and economic development in Tamil Nadu upon cancellation of the project.
This controversy will not go away and is likely to be a significant political matter in state.