Farmers Over Development: Vijay Scraps Parandur Airport!

Tamil Nadu is regarded as one of the very best states in all of India when it comes to connectivity of public transport. Unlike other cities, where the airports are conventionally held outside the city limits, the Chennai airport is at the heart of the city, making it easier for commute.

However, there has been this commotion about the development of second airport in Chennai city in the Parandur area. There is a widespread argument that the previous DMK government had started to procure fertile farming lands for the construction of this airport against the wishes of the local farmers.

Now we have the TVK government, which is led by chief minister, Joseph Vijay and he has turned against this airport in Chennai.

“Considering industrial development and passenger convenience, there is a need to establish a new airport. The location selected for the new airport should not affect farmers or result in the large-scale displacement of residential areas.” Vijay said as he announced that the TVK government is cancelling the plans for Parandur airport.

The previous government had taken steps to establish the airport in a manner that would affect a large extent of agricultural land and a large number of residential areas. “I have held detailed consultations with officials regarding the establishment of a new airport. The steps taken to establish the Parandur airport will be abandoned by this government.”

This is a pretty big announcement from chief minister Vijay, as he has prioritise the concerns of farmers over the city urban development. This is a big choice and could be largely beneficial for Vijay government from the farmers community.