The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government has officially scrapped the proposed Parandur airport project in Kancheepuram district, leaving residents of 13 affected villages in a state of deep uncertainty. While 1,802 acres of land have already been acquired, Industries Minister S Keerthana recently stated that this land could be repurposed for eco-friendly industrial development. Opposition parties and local farmers are currently demanding that the government return the acquired land to its original owners.
Villagers who surrendered their property are now grappling with the financial consequences of the project's cancellation, including concerns over whether the government will demand the return of compensation payments. Local land values, which had surged during the project's planning phase, have plummeted following the announcement. Many farmers, such as 74-year-old K Sigamani, expressed distress over the loss of their land and the exhaustion of their compensation funds.
Beyond the immediate economic impact, the region faces a broader shift as younger generations increasingly move away from traditional agriculture toward urban employment.
Although the airport project will not proceed, the long-term effects of the acquisition process and the resulting land market volatility continue to disrupt the livelihoods and social fabric of the affected communities.
