Chennai, Aug 24 : DMK leader M.K. Stalin on Monday strongly criticised the TVK government’s decision to abandon the proposed Parandur international airport, warning that the move would set back Tamil Nadu’s development for several years and weaken its position as a leading investment destination.
Reacting to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s announcement in the Legislative Assembly, Stalin said the decision had been driven by “petty political considerations” and accused the government of sacrificing Tamil Nadu’s long‑term interests. In a social media post, he described the cancellation of the project as a major disappointment rather than a policy change.
Stalin also objected to the manner in which the announcement was made under Rule 110 of the Assembly, which does not allow an immediate debate. He said a decision of such importance should not have been announced without providing legislators an opportunity to discuss it.
Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s leadership in sectors ranging from electronics exports to automobile manufacturing, Stalin said a world‑class international airport was essential for Chennai. The capital required significantly expanded aviation infrastructure to support industrial growth, investment, exports and employment, he added.
According to Stalin, Parandur had been selected only after all feasible alternative sites were carefully examined. Several stages of planning and regulatory approvals had already been completed, while land acquisition was also progressing. The previous DMK government had prepared to begin construction immediately after returning to office, he said.
The former Chief Minister warned that identifying another location, securing fresh approvals and restarting land acquisition would cause prolonged delays. By the time the new government completed these processes, Tamil Nadu’s overall development could suffer serious damage, he claimed.
Stalin said Tamil Nadu, which had emerged as the preferred destination for investors under the previous “Dravidian Model” administration, risked losing projects to competing States. He described Vijay’s announcement as a “jackpot” for rival States seeking to attract industries and investments that might otherwise have come to Tamil Nadu.
The State’s ambition of building a one‑trillion‑dollar economy, and later expanding it to 1.5 trillion dollars, could not be achieved without sustained industrial development, Stalin said. He alleged that the TVK government had acted without adequate consultation or foresight and warned that its decision could undermine employment opportunities and shatter the aspirations of young people across Tamil Nadu.
MK Stalin warns scrapping Parandur airport will set back TN’s development
