Fri Dec 13 19:29:08 UTC 2024: ## Parandur Airport Project Faces Opposition Amidst Flooding Concerns

**CHENNAI, December 14, 2024** – The proposed Rs 29,144 crore Parandur airport project in Tamil Nadu is facing growing opposition from local villagers who claim recent monsoon rains have caused significant flooding in already waterlogged fields. Villagers fear that the construction of the airport, which includes three runways and two terminals, will exacerbate the situation and lead to widespread damage.

Residents of Ekanapuram, such as Balaraman, report substantial water stagnation in agricultural lands after even short periods of rainfall. They express concern that the rising water levels in nearby lakes – Vayaleri, Kalieri, and Kadapperi – could lead to catastrophic flooding if further heavy rains occur.

The “Villagers Against the Parandur Airport Movement,” represented by S D Kathiresan, maintains its protest, citing the potential for long-term environmental problems. They are meticulously documenting the extent of water stagnation after each rainfall event to highlight the risks associated with building on the site.

While the Tamil Nadu state government insists that mitigation measures will prevent any disaster, environmental organization Poovulagin Nanbargal, represented by G Sundararajan, questions the lack of transparency surrounding a crucial hydrogeological report commissioned by a high-level committee. The report’s unreleased status fuels suspicion about potential concerns that the government may be trying to conceal.

Sundararajan highlights that beyond the immediate flooding, the project’s anticipated rapid urbanization will further deteriorate the watershed area, increasing the risk of future flooding in surrounding regions. The concerns raised by villagers and environmental groups cast a shadow on the future of the ambitious Parandur airport project.

Read More