Industry and infrastructure experts have reiterated that a second airport for Chennai is no longer optional, calling it a critical investment for Tamil Nadu’s long-term economic growth rather than just another infrastructure project.
With the existing Chennai airport at Meenambakkam facing constraints that limit expansion, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to develop a new airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district. The proposed project spans about 5,600 acres, including plans to acquire around 3,700 acres of agricultural land; about 1,700 acres have reportedly been acquired so far.
However, uncertainty has emerged over whether the project will continue, be dropped, or be shifted, amid political questions following actor Vijay’s party coming to power after having earlier backed farmers opposing land acquisition.
At a seminar organised by the “Super Chennai” forum, speakers argued that planning should begin well before airports hit saturation. Retired IAS officer Paneendra Reddy said expansion should start when capacity reaches 75%, and a new project should be underway by 90%, adding that the second airport must be designed to meet needs for the next 30 years.
Former airline CFO Vijay Gopalan and other industry representatives pointed to operational limitations at the current airport, including runway and parking bay constraints, and said renovations would only be a temporary fix. Manufacturing and logistics voices added that global investors are interested in Tamil Nadu’s industrial strengths, but inadequate air connectivity holds them back, urging the government to expedite the second airport as other major Indian cities have already built additional airports to address future space constraints.
