Tamil Nadu Shortlists Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi for New Chennai Airport Site

The Tamil Nadu government has officially shortlisted two new locations, Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi, as potential sites for a second international airport to serve the Chennai metropolitan region. This development, confirmed by state officials, follows the administration's recent decision to abandon the previously proposed greenfield project at Parandur. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has already conducted an initial round of site inspections, and the state has formally requested the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to initiate a comprehensive pre-feasibility study for both locations.

The search for an alternative site marks a significant shift in the state's aviation infrastructure strategy. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the cancellation of the Parandur project last week, citing environmental concerns, the potential displacement of local communities, and the loss of agricultural land. The government is now prioritizing locations where the impact on residential settlements and farming activities can be minimized while still meeting the long-term passenger and cargo capacity requirements for the region. A final decision on the project's location will depend on the findings and recommendations provided by the AAI in its upcoming report.

The decision to pivot away from Parandur follows months of public opposition and political debate. Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, addressing the State Assembly under Rule 110, emphasized that the government's commitment to industrial growth must be balanced with the welfare of local residents. He specifically referenced his visit to Eganapuram and surrounding villages on January 20, 2025, where he heard firsthand accounts of the concerns held by those living in the project's path. By abandoning the Parandur site, the administration aims to mitigate the environmental risks and social friction that had stalled progress.

However, the move has not been without political fallout. Opposition leaders, including DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin, have criticized the cancellation, characterizing it as an "irreversible setback" to the state's economic development. Despite this criticism, the government maintains that the necessity for a second airport remains paramount. The state government has stated that it will continue to work with experts to identify a site that aligns with both industrial demand and sustainable development goals, ensuring that the project does not come at the expense of local livelihoods.

The two newly identified sites offer distinct geographical and logistical profiles. Cheyyur, located in the Chengalpattu district, and Manellore, near Gummidipoondi in the Tiruvallur district, are currently being evaluated for their suitability as major aviation hubs. The AAI’s pre-feasibility study will be critical in determining which of these sites can best support the infrastructure required for an international-grade airport, including runway length, airspace clearance, and connectivity to existing transport networks.

State officials have indicated that the selection process is being conducted with a focus on long-term viability. The TIDCO team, which has already completed preliminary inspections, is coordinating closely with the AAI to ensure that the technical assessment covers all necessary parameters. While the government has not set a definitive timeline for the final site selection, the request for a formal study signals that the administration is moving quickly to replace the lost capacity from the abandoned Parandur proposal.

While the search for a second airport site continues, the state is simultaneously pursuing the expansion of the existing Chennai Meenambakkam airport. This dual-track approach is designed to address immediate capacity constraints while planning for the future. The AAI has proposed a new passenger-handling system on the north-western side of the current facility, which is intended to significantly increase the airport's ability to manage rising passenger and cargo volumes.

To facilitate this expansion, the AAI has requested the state government’s assistance in constructing a new road that would connect the proposed passenger-handling facility directly to the national highway. The Tamil Nadu government has pledged its full support for this initiative, recognizing that the existing airport's efficiency is vital to the city's economic health. According to the state's Industries Policy Note, the combination of the existing airport's expansion and the development of a new greenfield site is essential to maintaining Chennai's status as a key industrial and logistics hub.

The immediate next step for the state government is the receipt and review of the AAI’s pre-feasibility report. This document will serve as the primary evidence base for the final selection between Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi. The government has yet to disclose the specific criteria that will carry the most weight in the final decision, though environmental impact and land acquisition feasibility are expected to be central factors given the lessons learned from the Parandur experience.

As the project moves forward, the administration will also need to manage the expectations of various stakeholders, including industrial groups, local communities, and political opponents. The success of this second attempt at establishing a new airport will likely depend on the government's ability to secure broad consensus early in the planning phase. Whether the AAI’s findings will lead to a swift selection or necessitate further site investigations remains an open question that will likely be answered in the coming months.