Parandur Airport: Higher Compensation, Business Loan Packages For Affected Farmers

Even as the Defence Ministry turned down a proposal to construct an airport in Hosur, there is a progress in Tamil Nadu's ambitious greenfield airport project in Parandur.

As per a recent report, Tamil Nadu industrial development corporation (TIDCO) is busy with the social audit which was kicked off in August 2025. As per a report in The Times of India, the audit has completed in 13 villages and two villages Ekanapuram and Thandalam are yet to be covered.

Good News For Farmers

The good news for the protesting villages is that the officials have decided to give revised price to the farmers who give away land for the greenfield airport project. Also, the government plans to help the villagers in availing business loans and help the villagers to relocate to new place.

"So far, we announced compensation for the land and an initial resettlement plan. But the assessment will cover every aspect of the impact on the farmers and ascertain the specific needs of the villagers to comprehensively revise the compensation. From availing big loans to starting a new business, the state govt will be with the villagers. This is the first time such a comprehensive social impact study is carried out with a genuine concern for the livelihood of people to be relocated," the English daily quoted an official as saying.

The TIDCO plans to acquire 5,000 acres from 13 villages in Kancheepuram district. As per an earlier report, the compensation ranged from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 1.1 crore per acre, depending on the land's guideline value.

The TIDCO aims to complete an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental management plan (EMP) in the months to come even as the villagers from Ekanapuram and Thandalam approached the Madras High Court to stall the project.

The transition from the existing Meenambakkam airport to Parandur is driven by geographical constraints at the current site. A greenfield project allows for modular expansion over four phases, designed to reclaim Chennai's status as a primary aviation hub in South India.

The latest development around Parandur project comes as the Hosur Airport proposal is facing a setback after The Union Ministry of Defence has once again turned down Tamil Nadu's proposal to establish an airport in the city, which is just 40 kms away from Bengaluru.