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For four years, the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district shaped land prices and investment interest west of Chennai. On 24 August 2026, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay told the Assembly the project would be abandoned. Here is what has been reported, in order, and what remains unannounced.
Timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2007 | A site near Sriperumbudur was announced for a second airport (Wikipedia) |
| August 2022 | Parandur was selected; residents of Ekanapuram began protesting the same month (Wikipedia; Deccan Herald) |
| 24 February 2024 | A preliminary land acquisition notification was issued for Podavur village under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997 (The News Minute) |
| July 2025 | The government decided not to use force or coercion to acquire land (Deccan Herald) |
| 7 November 2025 | Deccan Herald reported that over 1,100 acres of private land had been transferred since July, that the state held about 3,000 acres including government land, and that compensation ranged from ₹15 lakh to ₹1.10 crore per acre |
| 20 January 2026 | Vijay visited the region (as he recalled in the Assembly; The South First) |
| 24 August 2026 | The Chief Minister announced the project would be abandoned and that alternative sites would be assessed for technical feasibility (The South First; The Week) |
| 25 August 2026 | In the Assembly, Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar said 1,802 acres had been acquired, 48% of the 5,846 acres required, and none in Ekanapuram, Karai, Thandalam or Siruvalur; Industries Minister S Keerthana said the government would explore industrial projects on the acquired land (The News Minute) |
| 6 September 2026 | The state shortlisted **Cheyyur** (Chengalpattu district) and **Manellore** near Gummidipoondi (Tiruvallur district) and asked the Airports Authority of India for a pre-feasibility study (Republic) |
| 7 October 2026 | In an RTI reply, TIDCO said it had told the AAI the Parandur project was dropped, and that the final site "has not yet been selected or confirmed" (DT Next) |
Project size as reported
Sources give different figures for the project area: about 4,970 acres (Wikipedia), 5,320 acres of which about 3,750 private (The Week), 5,746 acres of which about 3,800 private across 13 revenue villages (Deccan Herald) and 5,846 acres, including 3,274 acres of patta land, given by Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar in the Assembly (The News Minute). The project was spread across Ekanapuram and 12 surrounding villages (The South First).
Reasons given
- The Chief Minister said the airport would be proposed where "there is no opposition from the people" (The Week).
- Selection of the new site is to prioritise minimal impact on agricultural land, residential areas and livelihoods (The Week).
- The government also referred to a planned fifth terminal at the existing Meenambakkam airport (The Week).
What has not been announced
As of 11 November 2026, the sources we reviewed did not report:
- A final site for the new airport. Cheyyur and Manellore have been shortlisted for study, but neither has been selected.
- A decision on the land already acquired. The government has said it will explore industrial projects there, but no specific project has been announced.
- What will happen to pending acquisition notifications, or whether any land will be returned to owners.
We will update this article when the government announces any of these.
For land buyers
- Treat any price premium in the Parandur area that was based on the airport with caution, since the project has been dropped.
- Before buying land in villages that were in the project area, check with the revenue department whether an acquisition notification still applies to the survey number.
- Be wary of land offers marketed on the new airport, including around Cheyyur or Manellore: both are only shortlisted, and no site has been finalised.
- Check the title, land classification and approvals as for any land purchase. See our land documents checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Parandur airport project cancelled?
Yes. On 24 August 2026, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the steps taken to set up the airport at Parandur would be abandoned and alternative sites would be assessed.
Where will Chennai's new airport be built?
No site has been finalised. In September 2026 the state shortlisted Cheyyur and Manellore near Gummidipoondi and asked the Airports Authority of India for a pre-feasibility study; in October, TIDCO said in an RTI reply that the final site had not been selected.
What happens to land acquired for Parandur airport?
On 25 August 2026, the Industries Minister said the government would explore industrial projects on the acquired land. No specific project, and no decision on pending acquisition notifications, had been reported as of 11 November 2026. Check with the revenue department for a specific survey number.
How much land was being acquired for Parandur airport?
Figures vary by source, from about 4,970 acres (Wikipedia) to 5,846 acres (the figure given in the Assembly in August 2026). The minister said 1,802 acres, or 48%, had been acquired by then.
Sources
- The South First: Vijay announces cancellation of Parandur airport project in Assembly — 24 Aug 2026; Ekanapuram and 12 villages
- The Week: Why TN govt dropped Parandur airport project — Reasons; 5,320 acres; terminal plans
- Deccan Herald: Land acquisition for new Chennai airport accelerates despite protests — 7 Nov 2025; acquisition progress and compensation
- The News Minute: TN govt issues notification to acquire land in Podavur village — 24 Feb 2024
- The News Minute: Tamil Nadu govt to explore industrial projects on land acquired for Parandur airport — 26 Aug 2026; Assembly figures
- Republic: Tamil Nadu shortlists Cheyyur, Gummidipoondi sites for Chennai's second airport — 6 Sep 2026
- DT Next: TN govt tells AAI Parandur airport project is off, no new site finalised yet — 7 Oct 2026; TIDCO RTI reply
- Wikipedia: Chennai Parandur Airport — 2007 and 2022 site history; 4,970 acres