Chennai, August 2026 : DMK leader M.K. Stalin on Monday criticised the TVK government’s decision to drop the proposed international airport project at Parandur, claiming that the move could delay Tamil Nadu’s development by several years and weaken Chennai’s position as a major investment and industrial hub.
Reacting to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s announcement in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Stalin alleged that the decision was driven by “petty political considerations” rather than the long-term interests of the state. He described the cancellation as a major setback and questioned the rationale behind abandoning a project that had already progressed through several stages of planning.
Stalin also objected to the manner in which the decision was announced under Rule 110 of the Assembly, pointing out that the provision does not allow an immediate debate. He argued that a project of such strategic importance should have been discussed in the House before a final decision was taken.
Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s strong position in sectors such as automobile manufacturing, electronics, exports and industrial production, Stalin said Chennai required modern aviation infrastructure capable of supporting the state’s expanding economy.
He maintained that a world-class international airport was essential to accommodate the growing requirements of businesses, investors, exporters and travellers. According to Stalin, expanded airport infrastructure would also contribute to employment generation and strengthen Tamil Nadu’s ability to attract major domestic and international investments.
The DMK leader said Parandur had been selected after examining various possible locations and assessing their feasibility. He claimed that the proposed site had already gone through multiple stages of planning and regulatory procedures, while land acquisition was also underway.
Stalin said the previous DMK government had planned to commence construction after returning to power and argued that abandoning the selected site would require the entire process to be restarted.
He warned that selecting a fresh location would involve new feasibility studies, land acquisition procedures and regulatory clearances, potentially causing substantial delays. Such a process, he said, could adversely affect Tamil Nadu’s development plans at a time when competition among states for investments was intensifying.
Stalin further claimed that Tamil Nadu could lose potential industrial projects to competing states if uncertainty over major infrastructure projects continued. He described the decision to cancel Parandur as a “jackpot” for rival states seeking to attract industries and investments that might otherwise have considered Tamil Nadu.
The former Chief Minister linked the airport project to the state’s broader economic ambitions, including its target of building a $1 trillion economy and eventually expanding it to $1.5 trillion.
He argued that such ambitious targets would require sustained industrial expansion, modern infrastructure and a strong ecosystem for global businesses.
Stalin also accused the TVK government of taking the decision without adequate consultation and long-term planning. He warned that delays in developing critical infrastructure could have consequences not only for investment but also for employment opportunities.
According to Stalin, young people across Tamil Nadu could ultimately bear the impact if industrial growth slows or investment opportunities shift to other states.
He urged the government to reconsider its decision, asserting that major infrastructure projects should be evaluated on economic and developmental considerations rather than political calculations.
