Cheyyur, Gummidipoondi Emerge as Contenders for Chennai’s Second Airport; AAI to Assess Sites

The Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi as potential locations for Chennai’s second airport and has asked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to conduct a pre-feasibility study of both sites.

The move comes as the state seeks to develop a new international airport near Chennai to cater to rising passenger and cargo traffic from the city and neighbouring districts. The search for alternatives follows growing controversy over the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district.

The state government had earlier indicated that alternative locations would be identified in consultation with experts. It has maintained that Chennai will need additional airport capacity to meet its long-term transportation and economic requirements.

EXISTING CHENNAI AIRPORT ALSO SET FOR EXPANSION

The proposed second airport is being planned alongside the expansion of Chennai’s existing airport at Meenambakkam.

The AAI has proposed a new passenger-handling system on the north-western side of the airport to improve its ability to manage growing passenger and cargo volumes.

The authority has also sought the Tamil Nadu government’s approval to construct a road linking the new passenger-handling facility with the national highway. The state has assured the AAI of the necessary support for the project.

According to the Industries Policy Note cited by news agency ANI, the expansion is expected to strengthen the existing airport’s services, while work will also move forward on establishing a new airport for Chennai.

WHY THE PARANDUR PROJECT WAS DROPPED

The latest development follows the state government’s decision to abandon the proposed Parandur airport project and look for another location.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced the decision in the State Assembly under Rule 110, citing concerns over the environmental impact of the project, the loss of agricultural land and its potential effect on local livelihoods.

The government has said the new site should minimise the impact on farmland, homes and surrounding communities.

Vijay has maintained that Chennai needs a second airport to support long-term growth in passenger and cargo traffic as well as the state’s expanding industrial sector. However, he has argued that such infrastructure development should not come at the cost of local communities.

The Chief Minister also recalled visiting Eganapuram and other villages on January 20, 2025, where he met residents protesting the Parandur proposal and its impact on 12 surrounding villages.

OPPOSITION SLAMS PARANDUR DECISION

The decision to scrap the Parandur proposal has faced criticism from opposition parties, including the DMK and BJP.

DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin called the move an “irreversible setback” for Tamil Nadu’s growth.

The Parandur project had received in-principle approval from the Civil Aviation Ministry in April 2025 for the development of an international Greenfield Airport in Kancheepuram district.

With Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi now under consideration, the AAI’s pre-feasibility assessment is expected to determine whether either location meets the technical and operational requirements for Chennai’s proposed second international airport.