For residents of nearby villages, the struggle to keep their homes, land, livelihood intact is coupled with the uncertainty of where they would go if Tamil Nadu government forces its way to acquire their land and build a greenfield airport at Parandur.
Published Sep 06, 2024 | 6:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 06, 2024 | 6:08 PM
The land to be acquired, including lakes, ponds, and residential areas, spans 905 acres. Of this, 400 acres are categorised as wetland,
Residents of 13 villages in Parandur have been counting days for the past few years. On Friday, 6 September, the count touched 774.
Life, devoid of its sheen, has become slow as the villager face the possibility — which now seems a reality— of getting uprooted from their land, the land where their ancestors sleep eternally. It is the same land that has been sustaining them for generations.
The Tamil Nadu government has set its sights on the same land at Parandur for developing a greenfield airport in the Kancheepuram district, some 70 km from Chennai.
People in two villages — numbering about 2,000 — boycotted the Lok Sabha elections, demanding the government to spare their land. The boycott was part of the protest that began 774 days ago. Their protest, however, remains largely unheard of outside Tamil Nadu.
The villagers still count the days, fearing that it is a countdown to eviction. The Union government has granted clearance to the airport, meant to ease the burden of the existing one at Meenambakkam. On Wednesday, a fresh announcement for land acquisition was issued.
The protests started after the state government issued the notification for land acquisition. Chief Minister MK Stalin announced in August 2022 that a second airport for Chennai would come up at Parandur, at an estimated outlay of ₹20,000 crore, to handle 10 crore passengers annually.
It is hard to visit the villages without being noticed. “The police will stop us whenever we leave or enter the village,” a woman South First met at the Ekanapuram village, said.
“They ask us the purpose of the travel. The police allow us to pass only after checking our ID cards,” she added, identifying herself as Kavitha. The villagers do not trust the authorities or the media.
Kandiban of Nagapattu was more vocal. “We are living in the constant fear that our homes could be taken away any moment. We can’t even think about carrying out maintenance work on our houses because of this uncertainty. My children are studying here. They (the authorities) haven’t told us where we would be relocated,” he said.
Many others, too, shared the same concern. They all looked similar, grim and scared.
Kandiban said the authorities had issued them a notice. Though the villagers submitted a collective petition to the Kancheepuram district collector, they received no response.
“The government plans to take away our farmland for the airport. If they take away all the land, where will food come from? How many millions will suffer from food shortage? What will happen to our livelihood? Can we go elsewhere and continue farming? Will the conditions there be suitable for us,” Kandiban fired a volley of questions that others, too, have been asking.
The villagers want answers. They want to be counted and recognised. The authorities are mum. The media does not know much either. The residents’ trust deficit in outsiders partially stems from the lack of information and the unbearable uncertainty shrouding their lives.
The uncertainty has brought them together, beyond political leanings and other compartmentalising or othering factors. This unity has been keeping the stiff protest alive even after 772 days.
Existing land use of the proposed site as per drone survey. (Supplied)
People in Parandur villages are dependent on agriculture. Taking away their agricultural land amount to stripping them of their livelihood.
Villagers and environmental activists have flagged the potential ecological consequences of constructing an airport at Parandur. A report released two years ago warned of an ecological disaster if the government goes ahead with the plan.
Environmental impact: Concerns include the destruction of local flora and fauna, disruption of waterbodies, and increased pollution levels. The area around Parandur is known for its natural beauty and biodiversity, which many fear will be jeopardised by the airport’s construction.
Community displacement: The proposed site for the airport affects several villages, including Ekanapuram, which has become the center of protests. Villagers are concerned about being uprooted from their homes and losing their cultural heritage as a result of the development.
Lack of consultation and engagement with authorities: Many residents feel that the government has not adequately consulted them regarding the project. The decision to build the airport appears to have been made without considering the voices and opinions of the local communities, leading to resentment and distrust. The residents say that they have been receiving notices ever since the proposal was made, but no one has signed any documents to date.
Existing land use of the proposed site as per revenue records. (Supplied)
Residents of Ekanapuram have sought to engage with government officials, demanding transparent discussions and fair compensation for their land. However, many feel that their concerns have been met with indifference, fueling further protests.
“I own 2.5 cents where my house is located and five acres of agricultural land. The government said we will get ₹9,000 a cent for agricultural land. Initially, an MLA visited and informed us that the government needed our land,” Valli, a villager, told South First.
She added that the villagers collectively refused to give up the land. “Despite our refusal, the government issued an order and started issuing notices. Even the women in our village submitted a formal petition against the acquisition,” she added.
Adding to the concerns is a lack of clarity about where the displaced families would be relocated. Some residents reported that government officials asked them if they had any ideas about where they should move.
While the government has promised compensation for the land, residents said that the amount offered—₹9,000 per cent for agricultural land—is nowhere near sufficient to compensate for the loss of their homes, livelihood, and community. The compensation, they said, doesn’t account for the long-term economic and emotional toll of displacement.
Though the government has been promoting the airport as a means to boost the local economy, many villagers felt that the benefits would not trickle down to them. There are fears that the project will prioritise corporate interests over the needs of the local population, exacerbating existing inequalities.
Incidentally, the Ministry of Defence had initially raised concerns over the planned airport at Parandur. It requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to reconsider the plan, citing the airport’s proximity to strategic military installations and aerospace safety.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation sought a feedback to the defence concerns from the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). After considering the feedback, the Ministry of Defence issued a no-objection certificate with riders on 25 October 2023.
The defence clearance was communicated to TIDCO on 8 November 2023. TIDCO has been at the forefront of the Parandur airport project, overseeing land acquisition, planning, and coordination with various government bodies.
Its involvement is critical in ensuring the project adheres to the regulatory frameworks set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Defence, and other stakeholders.
Additionally, AAI provides technical expertise and ensures that the airport design meets national and international standards for safety, infrastructure, and passenger service.
A case was recently filed against 60 individuals involved in a road blockade. According to the police, some of them tried to self-immolate. The villagers, deeply attached to their land and community, have been vocal in their opposition, leading to several confrontations with law enforcement agencies and government officials.
The charges against these individuals are related to their involvement in the protests. These protests have been largely peaceful, but the growing frustration and desperation among the villagers have occasionally led to tensions.
The filing of cases is seen by many as an attempt to intimidate the protesters and suppress their resistance. The villagers, however, remain resolute, viewing the legal actions as another hurdle in their fight to protect their land and life.
Ekanapuram has emerged as the hub for protests against the Parandur airport project. Residents have organised demonstrations, rallies, and awareness campaigns against the planned airport.
G Subramanian, secretary of the Parandur airport opposition joint movement said that the notices were issued to 152 individuals in Ekanapuram on Wednesday. Subramanian is the Secretary of Parandur Airport Opposition Joint Movement and Ekanapuram Village Residents and Farmers’ Welfare Association.
The land to be acquired, including lakes, ponds, and residential areas, spans 905 acres. Of this, 400 acres are categorised as wetland, and notices have already been issued to 82 individuals. Notices will be issued to over 230 individuals, he said.
“So far, no notice has been issued for the village’s dry lands. Each notice has been given individually. In response to this, we plan to gather the people and march in protest.” he added.
The people of Ekanapuram and other villages have come together, transcending political affiliations and social backgrounds, to oppose the airport project. This unity has strengthened their collective voice, making it difficult for authorities to ignore their concerns.
Pattamma from Ekanapuram seemed determined to stay in her village. “I have lived here since childhood. They are now asking us to leave our village, our livelihood, everything behind. My husband, my child, and relatives lived and died here. I, too, will die on this land. I won’t leave this soil,” she said.
“We have been fighting for three years. We are protesting, we are shouting, but they are arresting us and putting us in the police station,” she added.
A villager, who refused to identify himself, expressed his mistrust toward the media and governing bodies, stating that they have repeatedly visited the village, asked questions, and did nothing.
Local police inspector Basil Premanand said people like Seeman Senthamizhan, Savukku Shankar, and “other YouTubers” have visited the area. He termed the issue a sensitive one.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
(South First is now on WhatsApp and Telegram)
