Farmers opposing the Parandur airport said the acquisition of their land would lead to the elimination of the region's 'self-reliant' economy.
Representational Image (Creative Commons)
The proposed greenfield airport at Parandur near Chennai — the second one to service the city — is back in the news.
Farmers opposing the project have said in a fresh representation to the Tamil Nadu government that the acquisition of their land would lead to the “destruction” of agriculture in the region and affect its “self-reliant” economy.
The representation also claimed that the project area covers “bird migration routes” and is close to the INS Rajali Naval Air Station and is not suitable for a greenfield airport.
The project would also block the flow of water in a natural channel that carries surplus flood water to the Kosasthalai river, leading to the inundation of 30 villages and causing “incalculable farm and economic losses”, the farmers added.
The project would also cause the complete displacement of people in five villages, including the ancient Ekanapuram village.
The farmers said that, as there will be no suitable livelihood opportunities elsewhere, “we will be left with grief and pain”.
In the representation, the farmers have urged the government to scrap the proposal to set up the greenfield airport at Parandur near Sriperumbudur and choose an area that would not have any adverse impact.
Already, for projects like the one for setting up a SIPCOT (State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu) industrial complexes in the Kancheepuram district, large tracts of land were acquired in the past by the government.
In the remaining portion of land in the district, agriculture is being done, which is ensuring food security and a “self-sufficient” local economy.
“Destroying this (land used for agriculture) as well for the airport project does not augur well,” the farmers said.
If implemented, the project would adversely affect the ecology and the natural water resources, they contended. The region forms part of the Palar river basin’s drainage system and they have been living in the area for generations, the farmers said.
The construction activities for the project would have a larger than expected negative impact as the region is dotted with “4,000-plus waterbodies of various kinds”, and water channels, canals and water bodies would be seriously affected, they contended.
The project would wreak havoc in the lives of local people and the environment, and lead to the displacement of villagers, the representation said.
L Elango, a member of the Federation for the Welfare of Ekanapuram Residents and Farmers, told reporters that the memorandum was submitted to the government during talks held on Tuesday, 20 December.
In the second round of talks with the farmers, a Group of Ministers apprised the farmers of Kancheepuram district, who are opposed to the project, that an expert committee would examine geological and hydrological features of areas in and around Parandur.
People, who oppose the airport project in their neighbourhood, however, said they would continue to protest till the government scrapped the new airport project.
Wednesday marked the 148th day of their protest against the airport project.
The first round of talks with farmers was held on 15 October at the Secretariat.
On 2 August, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that a second airport for the city would come up at Parandur at an estimated cost of ₹20,000 crore with an annual capacity of 10 crore passengers.
The land acquisition initiative for the project is proposed in 13 revenue villages, six of which fall in Sriperumbudur taluk and the rest in Kancheepuram taluk. Both the taluks are in the Kancheepuram district.
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