Tamil Nadu Shortlists Two Sites For Second Chennai Airport
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

Tamil Nadu Shortlists Two Sites For Second Chennai Airport

The Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted two sites near Chennai for a proposed second airport, and officials have submitted the findings of a preliminary study to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The locations are Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district, about 100 km south of Chennai, and Manellore near Gummidipundi in Tiruvallur district, about 50 km north-northwest of the city.

Both sites were identified within a week after the administration decided to drop the earlier Parandur plan on environmental grounds.

State officials recommended that the AAI carry out feasibility studies and indicated that an AAI team would inspect the sites for detailed assessment.

The decision to abandon Parandur followed concerns about water bodies, agricultural land and flood risk, prompting the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government to seek alternative locations.

Officials cautioned that even if a site and land are finalised, it would take at least five years for the airport to begin operations.

The chief minister has pegged the Tamil Nadu economy to reach United States dollar (USD) 1.5 tn by 2036, and the government views a second airport as part of that infrastructure push.

Opposition parties reacted sharply to the new shortlist, with a DMK spokesperson noting that work at Parandur had been advanced before it was cancelled and questioning the rationale for the change.

The Bharatiya Janata Party raised technical and safety concerns, citing insufficient land at Gummidipundi, the proximity of Sriharikota range and environmental and nuclear installations near Cheyyur.

Responses have underscored competing priorities between rapid development and environmental safeguards as the administration proceeds to the next stage of evaluation.

The AAI inspection and subsequent feasibility report will determine whether the sites meet operational and regulatory requirements and what mitigation may be necessary.

The state government will await those findings before committing to land acquisition or project timelines.

The Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted two sites near Chennai for a proposed second airport, and officials have submitted the findings of a preliminary study to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The locations are Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district, about 100 km south of Chennai, and Manellore near Gummidipundi in Tiruvallur district, about 50 km north-northwest of the city. Both sites were identified within a week after the administration decided to drop the earlier Parandur plan on environmental grounds. State officials recommended that the AAI carry out feasibility studies and indicated that an AAI team would inspect the sites for detailed assessment. The decision to abandon Parandur followed concerns about water bodies, agricultural land and flood risk, prompting the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government to seek alternative locations. Officials cautioned that even if a site and land are finalised, it would take at least five years for the airport to begin operations. The chief minister has pegged the Tamil Nadu economy to reach United States dollar (USD) 1.5 tn by 2036, and the government views a second airport as part of that infrastructure push. Opposition parties reacted sharply to the new shortlist, with a DMK spokesperson noting that work at Parandur had been advanced before it was cancelled and questioning the rationale for the change. The Bharatiya Janata Party raised technical and safety concerns, citing insufficient land at Gummidipundi, the proximity of Sriharikota range and environmental and nuclear installations near Cheyyur. Responses have underscored competing priorities between rapid development and environmental safeguards as the administration proceeds to the next stage of evaluation. The AAI inspection and subsequent feasibility report will determine whether the sites meet operational and regulatory requirements and what mitigation may be necessary. The state government will await those findings before committing to land acquisition or project timelines.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

GEON Commissions 10 MW/20 MWh BESS in Jaisalmer

GEON, the future technologies division of Kabra Extrusiontechnik, has commissioned a 10 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis.Executed in accordance with the Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024, the project covered detailed engineering and design, equipment procurement and supply, installation, testing and commissioning.The system has a power capacity of 10 MW and an energy storage capacity of 20 MWh. It is designed to improve energy management, support grid stability and facilitate the int..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Tembo Lists on BSE, Expands Defence Manufacturing Plans

Tembo Global Industries has listed its equity shares on the Main Board of BSE while expanding its focus on defence manufacturing and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies alongside its existing engineering and industrial businesses.Through its subsidiary, Tembo Classic Engineering, the company is developing manufacturing capabilities in small arms and ammunition. Its defence facility in Amravati, Maharashtra, is under development, with commercial production targeted for Q1 FY2028. The subsidiary has obtained government licences for ammunition and small-arms manufacturing.The company is co..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Bondada Gets NSE In-Principle Nod for Main Board Migration

Bondada Engineering has received in-principle approval from the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) to migrate its equity shares from the BSE SME Platform to NSE’s Capital Market Segment, or Main Board.The approval, conveyed through a letter dated 14 October 2026, follows BSE’s in-principle approval on 9 September 2026 for migration to its Main Board. The company now holds preliminary approvals to establish a presence on the Main Boards of both exchanges.Bondada Engineering will complete the subsequent formalities required under applicable regulatory and stock exchange requirements. The..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code