Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Vijay on Monday, January 20, came down heavily on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government for acquiring the wetlands in Parandur, Kancheepuram district, to construct a world-class airport. Nearly a year after convening the party and months after conducting the party’s first state conference, the actor turned politician, met Parandur’s protesters who are opposing the proposed Parandur Greenfield Airport.
The Parandur Greenfield Airport project has been a contentious issue since its announcement in August 2022 by the DMK government. Residents and farmers of the region have raised concerns over the potential environmental and social impacts. The proposed airport would require 2,171 hectares of land, including 1,386.43 hectares of agricultural lands and 577 hectares of water bodies. Demonstrations have continued for over 900 days, with villagers vowing to oppose the project until it is scrapped.
While addressing the protestors and residents of 13 villages, including Parandur, Ekanapuram, Nelvoy, Valathur, Madapuram, and Akkammapuram at Podavur village, Vijay said, “I am not against development. I am not a person who doesn't want an airport but I insist not in this place.”
“A recent scientific study says that the cause of flood in Chennai is due to the destruction of marsh lands and water bodies. Any government who destroys 90% of agricultural lands and 90% of water bodies for an airport would be an ‘anti-people’ government,” he added.
TVK had earlier passed a resolution at the party’s headquarters in Panaiyur, against the proposed project and said that the party would fight a legal battle against the proposed move. At their state conference, held on October 27, 2024, the party also announced their natural resources preservation policy, Vijay emphasized in his speech.
Welcoming a resolution passed at Tamil Nadu assembly against mining for tungsten at Arittapatti, Madurai district, Vijay said, “The same stance should have been taken for the people of Parandur, as they also belong to us. The state government should have opposed the project. For them, the airport project may have hidden benefits beyond its establishment, but the people are fully aware of this.”
Taking a dig at the DMK, the actor-politician said, "When you were in opposition, you strongly opposed projects like the Salem Eight-Lane Highway and the Kattupalli Port. Why don’t you take the same stand now that you are in power? Why do you support farmers only when you are in opposition, but go against them when in government? Of course, you are masters at staging drama as per your convenience. People have clearly understood that. Hereafter, they will not keep quiet.”
He also urged the Union and State governments to re-examine the Parandur airport project and consider another suitable location without harming the interests of farmers.
The Rs 29,144-crore project involves acquiring 5,746 acres of land across 20 villages, with plans to complete the airport by 2028. Residents, particularly from Ekanapuram — one of the largest affected villages — argue that the project will destroy fertile agricultural land and eco-sensitive water bodies, jeopardizing their livelihoods and local ecosystems. The Union government granted site clearance approval to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited in August 2024. Following this, the State government had issued notices for acquiring more than 4,000 acres of land.