Chennai’s alternative airport, the Parandur Greenfield Airport, is also progressing rapidly after acquiring 1000 acres of its total project area of 5183 acres. Covering several villages in Kancheepuram district, including Parandur, Ekanapuram, Nelvoy, Podavur, Akkamapuram and Valathoor, the new airport is intended to reduce traffic at Chennai’s current international airport.
As of November 2025, the state government has paid Rs 400 crore as compensation to the landowners whose land was acquired. Among the land required overall, the government already owns some 1,546 acres, and the rest belongs to private owners; approximately 2,774 acres remain to be acquired. The district revenue authorities are closely monitoring the land acquisition, which is being carried out in a phased and time-bound manner to ensure the smooth progress of the project.
The project to build Parandur Greenfield Airport, at an outlay of Rs 29,000 crore, covers 13 villages in Kancheepuram and Sriperumbudur taluks. Although the project has garnered the support of many landowners who have voluntarily given up their land, it has been met with protests from some residents who fear displacement and environmental degradation, resulting in a loss of livelihood. There has also been political resistance, led primarily by actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and other parties.
Once the land is bought, work on the airport is expected to start by the end of 2026. The airport is planned to be a major greenfield facility that will greatly increase Chennai’s aviation capacity to meet growing passenger demand and improve regional connectivity.
The new airport is part of Tamil Nadu’s plans to develop infrastructure, making regional economic activities easier, decongesting the existing airport, and connecting other areas in the state. The project falls under the strategic industrial zones of the Kancheepuram district, which will also boost development and employment. The government is also communicating with all affected landowners to ensure that clearance can take place as swiftly as possible, in readiness for construction works, which are expected to start soon.