Chennai, Sep 16
Tamil Nadu officials have identified Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district as the likely site for a proposed second airport serving the city, according to government sources and a report in The Times of India. The choice follows the cancellation of the earlier Parandur airport proposal and ongoing discussions on returning previously acquired land there to original owners.
Cheyyur lies about 90 km from Chennai and, officials said, already has 623 acres of land that were acquired earlier for a Union government power project through the Tamil Nadu Power Finance Corporation. In addition, they said, the area contains roughly 300 acres of poramboke (government waste) land, which together reduce the need for fresh acquisition of private patta land in the immediate vicinity.
“In Cheyyur, 90km from Chennai, the govt has 623 acres earlier acquired for a power project by Union govt through Tamil Nadu Power Finance Corporation. There are also about 300 acres of poramboke land,” a government official said, according to the report.
State officials said Cheyyur is being weighed as a practical alternative after Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on August 24 announced cancellation of the Parandur airport project. At Parandur, the previous administration had acquired 1,802 acres out of an identified 3,874 acres of patta land — an acquisition now under reconsideration, with officials exploring ways to return parcels to their earlier owners.
- Cheyyur: ~623 acres previously acquired; ~300 acres poramboke land.
- Parandur: 1,802 acres acquired earlier out of 3,874 acres identified.
- Manellore in Gummidipoondi is another shortlisted option, but officials flagged potential environmental concerns related to Pulicat lake.
Another site recently shortlisted for the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) pre-feasibility study is Manellore in Gummidipoondi, Tiruvallur district. Officials cautioned that proximity to Pulicat lake could raise environmental clearances and biodiversity concerns if Manellore is pursued further.
AAI officials said the existing Chennai airport will be able to handle projected traffic for a few more years, but further expansion within the present location is constrained. At present, Chennai airport's annual passenger-handling capacity is about 30 million. Development of a Terminal 3 is expected to increase capacity to 35 million, while AAI has also proposed a satellite terminal within the existing premises that could add a further 20 million passengers annually. Officials noted the satellite terminal would not require additional land acquisition since it would be built within airport limits.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Current Chennai airport capacity | 30 million passengers/year |
| With Terminal 3 | 35 million passengers/year |
| Proposed satellite terminal | +20 million passengers/year |
Officials also indicated infrastructure planning is already under consideration, with AAI proposing an elevated express corridor to provide a direct approach from a national highway to any new airport site. The pre-feasibility study by AAI will be decisive: the final recommendation will depend on its technical, environmental and land-availability assessments.
Local stakeholders — including farmers, residents and civic bodies — are likely to scrutinise any fresh proposal closely, given the controversy that surrounded the Parandur acquisition and the political sensitivities associated with large-scale land transfers. Returning land at Parandur could involve complex administrative and legal processes if the government proceeds, officials said.
For Chennai commuters and businesses, a second airport would relieve pressure on the present international airport in the medium to long term and support growth in passenger and cargo traffic. However, timelines for identifying a final site, completing clearances and building an operational airport will depend on the AAI study, environmental approvals and the pace of land consolidation — factors that have delayed similar projects across India.
State officials emphasised that while Cheyyur is the preferred option at this stage, the picture will become clearer only after the AAI submits its pre-feasibility report.
