Chennai ,August 24
DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday criticised the TVK government’s decision to abandon the proposed Parandur international airport, warning that it would delay the State’s development and weaken its position as a leading investment destination.
Reacting to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s announcement in the Legislative Assembly, Stalin accused the government of sacrificing Tamil Nadu’s long-term interests for “petty political reasons”. He said cancelling the project was not merely a policy change but a major setback for the State.
Stalin also objected to the announcement being made under Rule 110 of the Assembly, which does not provide for an immediate debate. A decision of such importance should not have been announced without allowing legislators to discuss it and express their views, he said.
Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s leadership in industries ranging from electronics exports to automobile manufacturing, Stalin said Chennai urgently required a world-class international airport to support industrial growth, exports, investment and employment.
He said Parandur had been chosen only after all feasible alternative locations were carefully examined. Several stages of planning and regulatory approval had already been completed, while land acquisition was progressing. The previous DMK government had prepared plans to begin construction after returning to power, he added.
Stalin warned that selecting another site and securing fresh approvals would result in prolonged delays. Tamil Nadu could lose major projects to competing States during that period, he said, describing Vijay’s announcement as a “jackpot” for rival States seeking new investments.
The State’s goal of building a one-trillion-dollar economy and later expanding it to $1.5 trillion could not be achieved without sustained industrial development, Stalin said. He alleged that the government had acted without adequate consultation or foresight, endangering employment opportunities and the aspirations of young people across Tamil Nadu.
