CHENNAI: DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Tuesday strongly criticised the TVK government and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over the decision to drop the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Parandur, accusing the chief minister of trying to appease farmers.Elangovan said Tamil Nadu needs another airport to support the state’s growing industrial and economic activities. He accused Vijay of failing to address farmers’ concerns while claiming to support them.“We need another airport, and that area is industrially growing. The problem is that he (CM Vijay) wants to appease the farmers. He has not waived the cooperative loan availed by the farmers. In all these areas, he had cheated the farmers. By withdrawing Parandur airport, he thinks that he is supporting a group of farmers who have a field in Parandur.” said Elangovan.“He wants to appease them and say that he is a friend of farmers. He is cheating the farmers. That is the intention. He does not care for the welfare of Tamil Nadu, the growth of Tamil Nadu, the industrialisation of Tamil Nadu, or the economic development of Tamil Nadu,” he added.A major political row erupted in Tamil Nadu after Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced in the state Assembly under Rule 110 that his government would abandon the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Parandur.Vijay cited severe environmental concerns, the threat to agricultural land and the potential loss of local livelihoods while announcing that the airport would instead be relocated to an alternative site where the impact on farms and residential settlements would be minimal.Speaking in the Assembly, Vijay said a second airport was essential to meet Chennai’s long-term requirements, industrial growth and cargo needs, but maintained that development could not come at the expense of local communities.The Chief Minister said he had visited Eganapuram and other villages on January 20, 2025, and heard the concerns of people protesting against the proposed airport at Parandur and 12 surrounding villages.“I stand firmly with the people protesting against the airport to be established in Chennai’s Parandur and 12 surrounding villages,” Vijay said.The decision drew sharp condemnation from the opposition DMK and BJP. DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin called it an “irreversible setback” to Tamil Nadu’s growth.The Civil Aviation Ministry had granted in-principle approval in April 2025 for setting up an international Greenfield Airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district.(With Agency Inputs)
