Chennai: The govt’s decision to drop the Parandur greenfield airport project has raised several questions, and topping them is the status of the acquired land parcels. A lot of housing projects and investments, initiated at the prospects of a new airport coming up there, are in a quandary. And the question of the next location remains unanswered.
The govt has frozen sale, lease and mortgage of land in and around 13 villages around Parandur. But finding a 5,000-acre land parcel free of agriculture, water bodies, industries and residential pockets is not easy.
Kancheepuram district officials told TOI that they were yet to receive any communication withdrawing the freeze. Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) said the positive outcome of the announcement is that the uncertainty over the project has finally been lifted. “With Parandur off the table now, CREDAI Chennai urges the govt to fast-track the selection and finalization of an alternative site without delay,” it said. experts point out putting the land to use for purpose other than what it was acquired for may trigger litigation While protesting villagers said they were okay with industrial projects in the acquired land as long as they do not impact environmental balance. Chief minister C Joseph Vijay said an expert team would find an alternative site ‘soon’. An officer said there too the govt is facing backlash over environment impact. We have to get site clearance first and then the in-principle approval to go ahead,” he said. Aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganthan says Chennai airport can be developed better with an expert planning team. The second runway can be put to better use by rectifying some design flaws,” he said. “For the second airport, the area between Muttukadu and Marakkanam will be ideal as runway orientation can be planned better, and soil conditions are suitable for runways,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO), the nodal agency for the greenfield airport, is yet decide what to do with the acquired land. TIDCO chairman and managing director D Karthikeyan was not available for his comment. Officials point out that the land acquisition in Manellore in Tiruvallur district is underway for a SIPCOT project and it could be the closest option to consider for the airport. “The best possible option is to look for a site beyond Chennai and surrounding districts. The new airport being away from the city is good, as a new satellite city can be built around it. The chief minister’s announcement to expand the existing Chennai airport by building a satellite terminal has struck the chord with all stakeholders. “We have the best city-side connectivity to the airport. We just need to improve the terminal design and clear confusions for the passengers. Ranganathan welcomed the satellite terminal plan as it can reduce congestion on GST Road.