Vijay Extends Support to Farmers Opposing Parandur Airport

Actor-politician Vijay has supported farmers opposing the Parandur greenfield airport, criticising the DMK government for prioritising infrastructure over agrarian livelihoods. The ₹20,000-crore project is projected to aid Tamil Nadu’s economic growth, but locals and environmentalists have raised concerns over land acquisition and wetland destruction.

Actor and Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has publicly supported protesting farmers in Kancheepuram district, marking his first major political outreach since launching his party. The farmers have been protesting against the proposed Parandur greenfield airport for over 910 days.

Speaking from a campaign vehicle, Vijay criticised the DMK government for planning the airport in an agrarian and low-lying area, which would require the acquisition of 4,791.29 acres, including 2,605 acres of wetlands. Vijay called the decision anti-people and demanded that the government return the acquired land.

“I am not against growth, but building an airport by destroying 90% of the agrarian land here is unacceptable,” Vijay stated. He accused the DMK of double standards, pointing out that the party had opposed similar projects while in opposition but was now supporting them in power.

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu defended the project, stating that the ₹20,000-crore airport, located 70 km from Chennai, is essential for the state's economic growth and aims to make Tamil Nadu a $1 trillion economy by 2030. The airport is expected to handle 10 crore passengers annually and boost investment and air traffic in the region.

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The protest highlights the conflict between infrastructure development and preserving agricultural land, a recurring issue in India’s development narrative.