CHENNAI: The Parandur airport project has advanced significantly as the state government has acquired 1,100 acres across 17 villages in Kancheepuram district, distributing ₹680 crore to the landowners.
A total of 1,075 sale deeds were signed in the past four months during camps organized by revenue district officers and land acquisition officers. Official sources noted that local villagers willingly offered their land, satisfied with the compensation provided.
“Those who registered their land to the government received immediate compensation via bank transfer,” the source mentioned. Compensation varies from ₹35 lakh to ₹1.1 crore per acre, depending on land guideline value, in addition to other benefits such as employment.
Approximately 5,000 acres are designated for the Parandur airport project, with 1,500 acres already under government control. As land acquisition surpasses 1,000 acres, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (TIDCO), the project’s nodal agency, has secured 50% of the required land. “We aim to complete significant land acquisition by February,” stated TIDCO chairman Sandeep Nanduri. The airport will be developed in four phases at an estimated cost of ₹27,000 crore, with work on the first phase expected to commence next year.
Currently, the Kancheepuram district administration permits existing owners to continue using the acquired land for cultivation and other purposes. “Most of the acquired lands are vacant. Owners will be given advance notice to vacate the land when necessary,” an official from the district administration explained.
TIDCO is in the process of preparing the Environmental Impact Assessment report and the Environment Management Plan. “Following significant land acquisition, draft bid documents will be sent to the Centre for approval,” an official mentioned.
However, residents of Ekanapuram remain firm in their opposition to the airport being constructed on their land. Subramanian, president of the protest group, highlighted that none of the villagers have yielded to the growing pressure to relinquish their land. “Ekanapuram alone comprises 905 acres. Land acquisition has not yet occurred in the nearby Thandalam village. Other than the initial 17.5 acres, the rest of the land has been registered in favor of the state government and not TIDCO,” he stated. The group plans to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to protect local water bodies.
