Parandur airport: poised on a ‘watershed’ moment

Just eight years after 2015, the terrifying scenes were back, not in a nightmare, but for real: inundated homes; people rescued by boats; floating cars; prolonged power cuts; residents bearing mounting financial losses. G. Sundarrajan, of Poovulagin Nanbargal, says, “While unplanned water release from the Chembarambakkam Lake had a disastrous effect on Chennai eight years ago, we witnessed a similar situation this time owing to an array of factors — from missing storm-water drain links to uncontrolled urbanisation in the city.” If the Pallikaranai marshlands and the Velachery Lake had not been encroached upon, the southern parts of the city might not have been ravaged as much, he argues. If the State government lets go of this opportunity, it may not be possible to find large land parcels to build another airport for the future needs, sources say. “If we are to build an airport without affecting any of the waterbodies, we may have to travel all the way to Cuddalore,” the source says.Both Tiruporur and Padalam would have restrictions on flight operations because of their proximity to the Tambaram Local Flying Area, according to the Government Order. Kurian Joseph, an environmental engineer and director of the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management, Anna University, says, “Not just for the airport alone, it is highly important to plan buildings even around the airport with water-sensitive urban designs, which will ensure that there is a minimal impact on the environment.” Another challenge is how an air passenger will commute to this distant site.