Actor Vijay recently visited Parandur to support those opposing the new airport project. However, it is essential to understand why the Parandur airport is crucial for Chennai's growth and development. While concerns from affected communities are valid, the government has put forward several measures to ensure fair compensation and support for the people whose lands are being acquired.

Support for Affected Residents

•  The government has outlined a comprehensive plan to aid those impacted by the airport project, which includes:

•  Financial Compensation: Residents are being offered 3-4 times the market value of their land.

•  Resettlement Plans: Alternate housing is being provided near the project site, with tenders already issued.

•  Employment Opportunities: government jobs are being promised to those displaced by the project.

•  Instead of pushing to halt the project altogether, political parties should focus on ensuring that these benefits are delivered to the people fairly and transparently.

The Urgent Need for a Second Airport

•  Chennai's existing airport at Meenambakkam has a maximum planned capacity of 35 million passengers annually (MPA), making it the smallest in terms of area compared to nearby cities such as:

•  Bengaluru and hyderabad, each with a capacity of 70 MPA.

•  mumbai and Delhi, are already building second airports.

•  With air travel demand expected to rise in the coming decade and indian airlines having over 1,000 planes on order, it is imperative to have additional infrastructure to accommodate this growth. Parandur airport will play a vital role in supporting logistics, warehousing, hospitality, and maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) services, creating job opportunities for lakhs of people.

Challenges with Expanding the Existing Airport

• Expanding the current chennai airport is not a feasible option due to several factors:

•  Land Acquisition Challenges: Obtaining land from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) is nearly impossible, and acquiring land in nearby areas like Gerugambakkam would be costlier than Parandur.

•  Infrastructure Limitations: The existing airport's layout is constrained by the river flowing through it, with narrow access via GST Road and a small cargo terminal. This has already resulted in chennai losing to Bengaluru and hyderabad in the logistics sector.

Why Parandur Was Chosen

Extensive studies were conducted to identify potential sites for a second airport, and Parandur was selected as the most suitable location. Finding 4,000+ acres around chennai without agricultural land or water bodies is an immense challenge. Furthermore, the lakes in Parandur are man-made, and the government has committed to building artificial lakes with diversion channels to prevent flooding.

Learning from the Past

Every major infrastructure project comes with its challenges. For example, the mettur dam submerged several villages when it was built, but today it serves as a lifeline for many districts in tamil Nadu. Similarly, Parandur airport will be a catalyst for economic growth and development in the region.

The Final Word

It is crucial to support the Parandur airport project, as it is the need of the hour for tamil Nadu and chennai to have a world-class airport. Instead of politicizing the issue, efforts should be directed toward ensuring fair compensation and the successful implementation of the project for the greater good.

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Vijay Parandur

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20/01/2025 11:33 AM