Tamil Nadu Chief Minister scraps ₹27,400-crore Parandur airport project due to protests

Why in news

The Tamil Nadu government scrapped the ₹27,400-crore Parandur airport project following farmer protests, raising legal questions regarding the return of acquired land.

Background

The project was a greenfield airport valued at ₹27,400 crore. The decision follows prolonged protests by villagers and farmers over land acquisition. The core legal issue involves the status of thousands of acres already acquired under the Land Acquisition Act.

Facts for Prelims

• FactProject cost: ₹27,400 crore
• PlaceParandur: Location of the proposed greenfield airport in Tamil Nadu
• Act / BillLand Acquisition Act: Governs the process of acquiring land for public purposes

For Mains

Q. Discuss the challenges of balancing large-scale infrastructure development with the rights of farmers and local communities in India. Suggest a way forward for land restitution.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Right to livelihood vs. Public purpose
• Legal complexities of land restitution
• Social unrest and democratic protests
• Way forward: Transparent compensation and participatory planning

Keywords: Land Acquisition · Public Purpose · Right to Livelihood · Infrastructure Development · Social Unrest

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