Farmers who gave land for Parandur airport face uncertainty

A few months ago, Murugan, a farmer and resident of Nagapattu, was under duress to give his agricultural land for the Parandur airport project. “I was absolutely against it. But I had to give my farmland since it was for the development of the State, and it would create lakhs of jobs. I received the compensation. But now, I’m shocked that there is nothing happening. We are staring at uncertainty, wondering why we gave the land,” he says.

Many residents and farmers who gave their farmland are worried about their future, as they do not know whether the project would take off.

Planned to be built at an estimated cost of ₹27,400 crore in four phases on an area of 2,172.72 hectares, the airport was announced in 2022. Demonstrations erupted soon after. Simultaneously, the government pursued the approval. In April 2025, the approval finally came. Land acquisition began, and continued till the State went into election mode. So far, nearly 1,700 acres has been acquired in various villages.

“Obviously, none of us wanted to move out of our home town. But it has come to a point where we would be in peace if a decision is taken soon. If they want to build an airport, let them do it soon and relocate us. But instead of Siruvallur, which has been identified for us, we want to go to Karai as it is more convenient. We also want more compensation,” Mr. Murugan adds.

Shanmugham, another resident of Nagapattu, highlights some of the problems that have emerged from this uncertainty. “If there is a sewage leak or an issue with the lighting in the village, it doesn’t get resolved. The authorities say we are anyway being shifted,” he adds.

Sivaprakasam, of Nelvoy village, who gave five acres for the project, says he and his neighbours want to move to Karai. “Since we have to shift anyway, we might as well go to Karai since we will have better transport, and it will be easier to get jobs. But we need monthly assistance,” he adds.

Sangeetha, another resident, says her family wanted to build a house, but they cannot get building permission owing to the uncertainty.

Some residents who parted with their land say they don’t have a problem with the project as it promises employment. But they want assured jobs for their children. Nagappan of Gunagarampakkam says, “The government claims lakhs of jobs will be created by the airport. We need jobs for the youth, and I want the government to provide one to each affected family.”

Mr. Murugan says he strongly opposes any other alternative to the airport, such as SIPCOT. “I offered to give my land for the airport project only because everyone said the State would develop significantly, and lakhs of jobs would be created in Chennai. You cannot take my land, promising that you will use it for the airport, and then repurpose it for other projects,” he adds.

G. Archana of Nagapattu says she used to work at a small firm near the Bengaluru airport. “If there was something like that in this village, I would have worked and supported my family. There is nothing here. If the airport comes up, at least my children, who are studying now, will get good jobs, and the entire area will be developed. But all of us want better compensation,” she adds.