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Centre says no word from TN on Parandur airport, calls it state call
Union aviation ministry sources say Tamil Nadu's new TVK government has not communicated plans on the ₹20,000-crore Parandur greenfield airport, leaving the project's fate to the state.
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The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has not received any communication from Tamil Nadu's new government on whether it plans to scrap or pursue the proposed ₹20,000-crore greenfield airport at Parandur, ministry sources said Wednesday.
"We have not received any intimation from the State government about their plans for the second airport. We are not aware whether they are putting it on hold or proceeding with it," the sources said. The Ministry had already issued land-use approval for the site, they added.
"The ball is now in the State's court. Any decision on the project's future rests with the State government," the sources said.
The clarification follows weeks of speculation over the airport's status after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government took office. Senior ministers have said environmental concerns cannot be set aside for development – a sign the previous DMK government's signature infrastructure project could face revision or replacement with an alternative site.
A delegation of senior Tamil Nadu officials is scheduled to visit New Delhi on Monday for talks with central officials on externally aided projects from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, government sources said. It is not clear whether the Parandur airport is on that agenda.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, before taking office, supported villagers and farmers opposing the project over livelihood and environmental impact. Since assuming power, there has been speculation he has reviewed the project, though no details have been made public. Senior state officials have denied that such discussions have occurred.