Chennai: The govt’s decision to drop the Parandur greenfield airport project has raised several questions, and topping them is the status of the acquired land parcels. A lot of housing projects and investments, initiated at the prospects of a new airport coming up there, are in a quandary. And the question of the next location remains unanswered.Land in freeze modeThe govt has frozen sale, lease and mortgage of land in and around 13 villages around Parandur. Kancheepuram district officials told TOI that they were yet to receive any communication withdrawing the freeze. Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) said the positive outcome of the announcement is that the uncertainty over the project has finally been lifted. “With Parandur off the table now, CREDAI Chennai urges the govt to fast-track the selection and finalization of an alternative site without delay,” it said.Fate of acquired landThe greenfield airport was planned on 4,700 acres. The previous govt acquired 1,500 acres of land at ₹35lakh to ₹60 lakh per acre of agricultural land. Apart from the compensation for the structural value of houses, people were given alternative housing site of 5 cents to 10 cents with a 400sqft house.Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO), the nodal agency for the greenfield airport, is yet decide what to do with the acquired land. While protesting villagers said they were okay with industrial projects in the acquired land as long as they do not impact environmental balance, experts point out putting the land to use for purpose other than what it was acquired for may trigger litigation. TIDCO chairman and managing director D Karthikeyan was not available for his comment.Where will the new airport come?Chief minister C Joseph Vijay said an expert team would find an alternative site ‘soon’. But finding a 5,000-acre land parcel free of agriculture, water bodies, industries and residential pockets is not easy. Officials point out that the land acquisition in Manellore in Tiruvallur district is underway for a SIPCOT project and it could be the closest option to consider for the airport.An officer said there too the govt is facing backlash over environment impact. “The best possible option is to look for a site beyond Chennai and surrounding districts. The new airport being away from the city is good, as a new satellite city can be built around it. We have to get site clearance first and then the in-principle approval to go ahead,” he said.Expansion of Chennai airportThe chief minister’s announcement to expand the existing Chennai airport by building a satellite terminal has struck the chord with all stakeholders. Aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganthan says Chennai airport can be developed better with an expert planning team.“We have the best city-side connectivity to the airport. We just need to improve the terminal design and clear confusions for the passengers. The second runway can be put to better use by rectifying some design flaws,” he said. Ranganathan welcomed the satellite terminal plan as it can reduce congestion on GST Road. “For the second airport, the area between Muttukadu and Marakkanam will be ideal as runway orientation can be planned better, and soil conditions are suitable for runways,” he said.
