Chennai / Kancheepuram, January 2026:
The Parandur Greenfield Airport project in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram district — envisioned to serve as Chennai’s second major aviation hub — has reached a notable milestone: more than 1,500 acres of land have been successfully acquired and authorities are nearing completion of a comprehensive Social Impact Assessment (SIA) audit.
The audit, which began in August 2025, spans 13 villages earmarked for land acquisition around the proposed airport site. Officials say only two villages — Ekanapuram and Thandalam — remain to be covered in the final round of evaluation. This detailed assessment aims to go beyond traditional land compensation by understanding broader socio-economic effects on farming families and local households.
📊 A Broader, People-Centric Approach
Rather than limiting itself to land valuations, the SIA is designed to:
- Gauge livelihood impact across affected villages
- Understand needs tied to skills, business opportunities, and credit access
- Recommend tailored support packages for families giving up land
Officials insist this approach is “the first of its kind” for a major infrastructure project in the state — one that attempts to address the long-term welfare of displaced residents and not merely offer financial compensation.
According to authorities, the state government will look at facilitating assistance with loans, skill development, and new business ventures as part of resettlement strategies once the SIA report is finalized.
⚖️ Opposition and Legal Pushback
Despite progress, the project continues to meet with resistance on the ground. A protest group from Ekanapuram has filed a petition in the Madras High Court, alleging coercion and disputes over compensation, especially related to water-body encroachments.
Members of the group claim that some villagers were pressured into registering their land, with implicit threats that protestors would face reduced compensation. These claims are yet to be addressed in court.
🔜 What Comes Next
Once the social audit is complete, authorities have said they will move ahead with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) — critical steps before full-scale construction can begin.
The entire airport project, which ultimately covers roughly 5,000 acres, is part of a broader push to relieve pressure on the existing Chennai International Airport and support economic growth in the region — even as debates over development vs displacement continue.
