The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted in-principle approval for Chennai’s second airport at Parandur, a Rs 200 billion greenfield project aimed at easing congestion at the existing Chennai International Airport. However, the project is facing escalating resistance from local residents, particularly in Ekanapuram village, which is nearing 1000 days of continuous protest. Announcing the approval, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu framed the initiative as part of a broader strategy to meet rising air traffic demand in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, growing passenger demand is being addressed through the development of second airports in metro cities,” he posted on X. Located around 70 km from Chennai, the airport will require over 5746 acres of land across 13 villages in Kanchipuram and Sriperumbudur taluks. The Tamil Nadu government has already given administrative clearance, and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) is preparing to initiate the land acquisition process. Of the total required land, 3774 acres is private and 1972 acres is government-owned. Compensation is being handled under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, with officials estimating a payout between Rs 15.49 billion and Rs 18.22 billion. Authorities say revised compensation offers have been made, but resistance on the ground remains firm. Ekanapuram, where around 650 families are expected to be displaced, has become the focal point of opposition. “We have opposed the land acquisition. Nobody has entered Ekanapuram,” said G. Subramanian, secretary of the Ekanapuram Village People and Farmers Welfare Board. He questioned how acquisition would proceed without budgetary allocation. Environmental concerns have also been raised due to the presence of several water bodies in the proposed project area. Adding to the political pressure, actor and TVK leader Vijay has extended his support to the protesting villagers, amplifying the issue on a national level. Apart from airport construction, the project involves acquiring land for an access road from National Highway 48, a peripheral road, and resettlement infrastructure. While central approval marks a major milestone, the project’s future hinges on navigating complex social, political, and environmental challenges.Image Source:www.wisdomproperties.com