Synopsis
Despite rising opposition to the Parandur Greenfield Airport Project, the Tamil Nadu government is moving swiftly to implement the initiative, with compensation distribution to begin in March.Key Takeaways
- Compensation distribution starts in March.
- Approximately 912 days of protests from local villagers.
- Compensation is set at three times the guideline value.
- Focus on resettlement and government job provisions for affected families.
- The project aims to bolster Chennai's infrastructure.
Chennai, Jan 22 (NationPress) In the face of mounting opposition to the Parandur Greenfield Airport Project, particularly after Tamil superstar-turned-politician Vijay's recent visit to the proposed site, the Stalin government has ramped up efforts to fast-track the initiative. The state aims to initiate compensation for affected families in March, with completion anticipated by May. Residents of Ekanapuram village, situated within the airport's vicinity, have been protesting for 912 days. Numerous political figures, including Vijay, have shown their support for the protesting villagers.
The Tamil Nadu government has provided clarifications to address public apprehensions, detailing measures to mitigate the project's effects while underscoring the necessity for a second airport in Chennai.
Officials have guaranteed that extensive measures will be implemented to ensure prompt compensation and resettlement of affected families.
As per senior revenue department officials, the compensation package for landowners will amount to three times the current guideline value, which varies significantly from Rs 2 lakh per acre in some areas to as high as Rs 35 lakh per acre in others.
The government has already initiated tenders to aid in the resettlement of affected families, which includes providing alternative housing and necessary amenities. Additionally, officials have pledged government jobs and other supportive measures for those impacted by land acquisition.
A senior official remarked, “The government is dedicated to honoring its commitments and ensuring that affected families receive fair compensation and rehabilitation. We will ensure that their welfare and livelihoods are not jeopardized.”
The Parandur site was initially selected by the AIADMK government in 2020, which emphasized its benefits over other potential locations, such as Pannur. Parandur is closer to the proposed Chennai–Bengaluru expressway and affects fewer families—1,005 in Parandur compared to 1,546 in Pannur. Moreover, Pannur poses challenges, including high-tension electricity towers, multiple industries, and a denser concentration of residential and industrial buildings near Sriperumbudur.
The Tamil Nadu government has reiterated that, while the project is vital for the city’s infrastructure growth, it will remain considerate of the well-being of the affected communities.
