Chennai, Feb 27: A special meeting will soon be convened in New Delhi to discuss the ‘in principle approval’ sought by the Tamil Nadu government for Chennai’s second airport at Parandur, Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu announced on Thursday.
The proposed greenfield airport project has faced opposition from villagers and farmers in Parandur and nearby areas, who fear losing their fertile lands and residential spaces.
Addressing reporters at Chennai airport, the Minister clarified that the site for the airport was selected by the Tamil Nadu government, while the Central government is responsible for evaluating feasibility, operational requirements, and technical aspects.
"We do not select the airport location. The state government identifies, proposes, and seeks site clearance. Our role is to conduct feasibility studies covering navigation, operations, and other technical factors," he stated.
Land Issues Under State’s Purview
Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized that land-related concerns fall under the state government's jurisdiction. "Wherever the state provides land, we conduct a feasibility study and determine whether it is suitable for an airport," he said in response to queries about local opposition.The Minister added that the Parandur airport project has been under discussion for a considerable period, with site clearance already obtained. The next step is securing ‘in principle approval,’ for which due process is being followed.
"We have completed thorough consultations, and within the next week or two, a special meeting will be held in Delhi to finalize the approval process," he assured.
During feasibility studies, factors such as surrounding airports and the integration of airspace for both civil and defense aviation were considered. Clearance has been obtained from all relevant operators, he noted.
Udaan Yatri Café Launched at Chennai Airport
On his first visit to Chennai airport as Union Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated the Udaan Yatri Café, a budget-friendly eatery aimed at making airport food affordable for passengers. This is the second such outlet in India, following the successful launch of the first café at Kolkata airport.“The Kolkata café has seen daily sales of ₹35,000, offering items like bottled water for ₹10, tea/coffee for ₹10, samosas for ₹20, and a daily sweet for ₹20,” he shared.
“We believe no one should remain hungry at an airport due to high or unreasonable prices. Our goal is to establish these cafés at all airports in the future,” he added.
The upcoming meeting in Delhi will be crucial in determining the future course for the Parandur airport project amid ongoing concerns from local residents.