In a surprising move, the Tamil Nadu government under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has scrapped the planned second airport for Chennai at Parandur, citing concerns over displacement of villages and farmland. The decision has been met with criticism from political opponents and proponents of the project who argue that it is a setback to Tamil Nadu's growth and development plans. The proposed second airport, which was selected after years of planning, clearances, and land acquisition, would have been located around 70 kilometers southwest of Chennai. The project was worth Rs 29,144 crore and included an air-freight village, new road corridors, and a metro connection. However, the project faced opposition from farmers and villagers who were against large-scale displacement. Right after launching his party, Vijay had visited one of the affected villages in 2025 and backed the protesters. On Monday, Vijay announced that the government would look for an alternative site for the proposed greenfield project. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called the decision "an irreversible setback" for the state's growth. He argued that the TVK government's decision was taken without foresight, planning or consultation and would have a devastating impact on employment opportunities for Tamil Nadu's youth. Despite the controversy, Chennai still has some breathing space as its existing airport is not facing an immediate capacity crisis. The airport handled 23.02 million passengers in 2025-26 against its annual capacity of 30 million. The Centre also told Parliament last month that there were no pending requests from airlines for slots at Chennai airport. However, the long-term need for a second airport near Chennai remains critical, especially as passenger numbers and cargo demand are expected to rise in Tamil Nadu's automobile and electronics manufacturing belt.