In a statement, A.S. Shankarapandian, General Secretary of Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI), stated as follows:
The Parandur airport project required around 5,746 acres of land, and steps were taken to acquire 13 villages including Ekanapuram. The area consists of fertile agricultural land where three-season paddy, millets, sugarcane and various other crops are cultivated. More than 1,000 families living there would have had to leave if the project were implemented. As they would have no alternative livelihood after losing their land, people in the area had been continuously protesting against the project.
The area selected for the project contains around 1,425 acres of water bodies, including lakes, ponds and canals. These play an important role in rainwater storage, flood control and groundwater recharge for Chennai. Environmental researchers have pointed out that destroying them would increase the flood risk to Chennai.
There is no disagreement that Chennai needs a second airport. However, there is no necessity to select a fertile area such as Parandur, containing agricultural land and water bodies, for the airport project. Development created by destroying agricultural land would affect the environment and food security.
Protecting agriculture, land, water bodies and livelihoods while advancing development is sustainable development and the correct approach. In that spirit, we welcome the Tamil Nadu Government’s decision to cancel this project in order to protect agriculture, the environment and people’s livelihoods.
The government has stated that around 1,700 acres have already been acquired for the project and that industries will be established there without causing environmental harm. It has also announced plans to expand the existing airport and select an alternative location for the airport project. We urge that the new site be selected in a manner that does not harm nature and the environment, agriculture, water bodies or people’s livelihoods.
Head Office,
Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI).
