The proposed Parandur airport is crucial for Chennai’s development, addressing several pressing needs and preparing the city for future growth. For those whose land is being acquired for the airport, the government has ensured a fair compensation package, offering 3-4 times the market value of the land, alternative housing adjacent to the project site, and promises of government jobs. Instead of opposing the project altogether, political parties should advocate for efficient implementation, ensuring these benefits reach the affected residents.
Chennai is in dire need of a second airport, as the current Meenambakkam airport is limited by its small area and capacity, which is capped at 35 million passengers annually (MPA). In contrast, nearby Bengaluru and hyderabad airports have capacities of up to 70 MPA each, with plans for additional airports underway. Expanding the current airport is nearly impossible due to the constraints of surrounding land, the presence of a river, and limited access. With an increasing number of indians expected to travel in the coming decade, and indian airlines having placed orders for over 1,000 planes, chennai requires a large-scale airport to support passenger traffic as well as a robust logistics and warehousing ecosystem that will create numerous job opportunities.
Extensive studies of 4-5 potential sites revealed Parandur as the optimal location for Chennai’s second airport, as finding 4,000+ acres without impacting a water body or agricultural land is nearly impossible near Chennai. While the site has man-made lakes, the government has committed to building new artificial lakes and water channels to prevent flooding, ensuring that Parandur’s development is sustainable. Every major infrastructure project has its impacts—Mettur Dam, for instance, submerged villages but now supports agriculture across tamil Nadu. chennai and tamil Nadu deserve a world-class airport, and this project should be supported beyond political lines, as it will elevate the region’s infrastructure and economic landscape.
Chennai is in dire need of a second airport, as the current Meenambakkam airport is limited by its small area and capacity, which is capped at 35 million passengers annually (MPA). In contrast, nearby Bengaluru and hyderabad airports have capacities of up to 70 MPA each, with plans for additional airports underway. Expanding the current airport is nearly impossible due to the constraints of surrounding land, the presence of a river, and limited access. With an increasing number of indians expected to travel in the coming decade, and indian airlines having placed orders for over 1,000 planes, chennai requires a large-scale airport to support passenger traffic as well as a robust logistics and warehousing ecosystem that will create numerous job opportunities.
Extensive studies of 4-5 potential sites revealed Parandur as the optimal location for Chennai’s second airport, as finding 4,000+ acres without impacting a water body or agricultural land is nearly impossible near Chennai. While the site has man-made lakes, the government has committed to building new artificial lakes and water channels to prevent flooding, ensuring that Parandur’s development is sustainable. Every major infrastructure project has its impacts—Mettur Dam, for instance, submerged villages but now supports agriculture across tamil Nadu. chennai and tamil Nadu deserve a world-class airport, and this project should be supported beyond political lines, as it will elevate the region’s infrastructure and economic landscape.
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