Chennai, July 8:
The proposed greenfield airport at Parandur was shelved not just due to public opposition, but also because the site was found unsuitable for runway construction, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) informed the State government, Energy Resources and Law Minister R Nirmalkumar said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a private college in Coimbatore, the minister said AAI officials had flagged the presence of extensive water bodies in the region as a major constraint. “When we consulted AAI, they told us runway construction would not be feasible as the area has nearly 800 to 900 acres of water bodies. We accepted their assessment and decided to identify an alternative site,” he said.
Nirmalkumar also pointed to environmental concerns and strong local resistance to the project. “I met the protesters. The entire region is an agricultural belt, with nearly 90 per cent comprising water bodies and cultivated land. When it comes to environment and growth, the government’s first priority is the environment,” he said, stressing that development cannot come at the cost of ecological damage.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to balanced growth, he said efforts were underway to locate suitable land around Chennai for the second airport without disturbing sensitive ecosystems. “We are not against development. We will pursue growth while safeguarding nature,” he added.