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Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s Parandur airport debate took an unexpected turn in the Assembly this week, when a discussion over land, farmers and Chennai’s aviation
needs descended into a sharp ‘son-in-law’ political exchange between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Opposition DMK. At the centre of the controversy is Chief Minister Vijay’s decision to scrap the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur, a move that fulfils a key promise made to protesting villagers. While the TVK government says the site’s agricultural land and water bodies make it unsuitable, the DMK argues that abandoning the project could hurt Tamil Nadu’s long-term economic and aviation needs.
‘G Square Son-In-Law’ Vs ‘Lottery Son-In-Law’: Assembly Erupts
The political slugfest began after Tamil Nadu Energy and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar defended the government’s decision to drop the airport project.
"If you look at all those who are now so worried and crying out here, it is for only one thing – either for the G Square son-in-law, or for those who took black money there and invested it," Nirmal Kumar said.
His reference was to V Sabareesan, son-in-law of former Chief Minister MK Stalin, whose name has featured in political allegations linked to real-estate company G Square. Nirmal Kumar suggested that opposition to scrapping the airport was driven by financial interests rather than concerns over infrastructure.
DMK leader and former Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu hit back as the exchange escalated.
"What is wrong in saying ‘G Square son-in-law’?" Nirmal Kumar asked. "The whole town called him ‘G Square son-in-law’. What is wrong with that? This is not a PT period for everyone to keep getting up and sitting down for everything."
Thennarasu later responded with another reference to a political son-in-law.
"If he wishes to take his reply and the debate to this level, I can also pay in the same currency," Thennarasu said. "If you are going to say ‘G Square son-in-law’, can I ask for which other ‘lottery son-in-law’ you are going to take the new airport?"
The remark was aimed at Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna, who is the son-in-law of lottery businessman Santiago Martin.
What began as a debate over an airport had, for a while, turned into a ‘G Square son-in-law’ versus ‘lottery son-in-law’ political exchange.
Why Did Vijay Scrap The Parandur Airport Project?
Chief Minister Vijay announced that his government was dropping the Parandur airport project after discussions with officials, fulfilling a commitment made to local residents and environmental groups.
"I know how important an airport's role is for industrial growth, and I even support that. But an airport in Parandur is simply not acceptable. We had asked the previous government to reconsider this project. Now, after detailed discussions with officials, and as per the promise I made to you, our government is dropping the Parandur airport plan."
The government’s main argument is that the proposed site contains large areas of fertile agricultural land and important water bodies.
Industries Minister S Keerthana said the region supports three rice-growing seasons - Samba, Thaladi and Sornavari - apart from groundnut, sugarcane, pulses and millets. Farmers also supply rice to the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and the public distribution system.
"If you ask what kind of land this is, it is a place with perennial water availability – agricultural land where cultivation can take place even when there is no rainfall," Keerthana said.
She also highlighted canals that carry water towards the Adyar River and Chembarambakkam Lake, arguing that damaging the natural drainage system could increase Chennai’s flood risk.
The government has said it is not abandoning the idea of a second airport for Chennai. Instead, it plans to expand the existing Chennai airport while searching for another site that causes less disruption to residents, agriculture and water bodies.
"We need an airport. We need a second airport," Keerthana said.
The government has also said land already acquired for the Parandur project will not be wasted. Alternative industrial projects could be developed there in a way that does not adversely affect local residents.
DMK: Parandur Was Chosen After Years Of Study
The DMK, which backed the Parandur project when it was in power, has argued that the airport was selected only after examining several alternative locations.
Thennarasu said locations including Sholinganallur, Padalam and Pannur had been considered before Parandur emerged as the preferred site.
He said the location was selected after assessing factors including technical feasibility, high-tension power lines, industries that would need to be relocated, land acquisition and costs.
The geography around Chennai also limited the options, according to Thennarasu. The Bay of Bengal restricts expansion to the east, industrial areas and the Pulicat ecosystem create challenges to the north, while the Tambaram military airbase limits options towards the south. Kalpakkam and the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary were also cited as constraints.
Thennarasu argued that the project had already moved substantially forward, with land acquisition and approvals underway.
"But after all these years of this project, after we have travelled this far, if you abandon it today, when is it ever going to come?" he asked.
The proposed airport was planned as a major greenfield facility for Chennai’s long-term aviation needs. The project was estimated at around Rs 27,000 crore and was ultimately planned to handle up to 100 million passengers annually.
Around 5,369 acres across nearly 20 villages had been identified for the project. Before its cancellation, nearly 1,700 acres had reportedly been acquired.
The DMK's argument is that Chennai’s existing airport cannot easily handle the city’s long-term growth and that abandoning Parandur after years of planning and acquisition could delay the expansion of aviation infrastructure.
TVK Vs DMK: Development Or Environment?
For the TVK government, the Parandur decision is being presented as a choice between development and protecting the land and communities around the proposed site.
Vijay had opposed the project even before coming to power. During a visit to protesting villagers in Kancheepuram in January 2025, he said, "I am not against development, but I oppose this airport if it comes at the cost of nature," he had said.
The government now says its alternative approach is to expand Chennai airport in the immediate term while looking for another location for a second airport.
The DMK, however, maintains that Parandur was selected after extensive technical studies and that Tamil Nadu needs a second airport to support future economic growth.
The dispute, therefore, goes beyond the airport itself. The TVK says Parandur puts fertile farmland, water bodies and local livelihoods at risk; the DMK says scrapping a project that has already gone through years of planning could leave Chennai without the aviation capacity it will eventually need.
For now, Vijay has chosen the first argument - and the search for Chennai’s second airport starts again.
