Create a large reservoir in Parandur: Anbumani

Anbumani Ramadoss | Photo credit: File photo

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday said the state government should create a big water reservoir on the 5,700 acres of land acquired in Parandur for the canceled greenfield airport project.

Addressing an awareness rally in Chennai, where he wanted to highlight the Pallikaranai Wetlands as a Ramsar site, he said, “A large water reservoir can be created in this area of more than 5,000 acres. The Tamil Nadu government says there are 33 lakes. All these lakes should be connected and this reservoir should be created for the more than 5,500 residents surrounding Chennai will be of great benefit to the people of Chennai. districts,” he said.

“The Tamil Nadu government must identify what constitutes swamps and how far this land extends and issue it as a notification. The Chief Minister must intervene in this matter. This is not the problem of the people of Perumbakkam, Madipakkam and Thoraipakkam areas. It is the problem of the people of entire Chennai,” he said.

According to him, Chennai needs a second airport as the runway at the current airport is not of the same standard or comfort as international airports.

“If very large planes are to land, a 60-metre runway is required, but the runway at Meenambakkam is only 45 meters wide. This is not enough. Therefore, the big planes that fly to Bengaluru cannot land in Chennai. Besides, the cargo aircraft facilities at Chennai airport are not enough. Container and ST Glorries Main Road is located at Meenambakkam airport, where the route can be traveled,” he said.

But he also said, “Agricultural land in Parandur should not be destroyed. The Tamil Nadu government has taken a decision and we welcome it. Similarly, we urge the Tamil Nadu government not to acquire agricultural land even for the expansion of Cheyyar Melma SIPCOT. At the same time, the minister said that industry will be shifted to the land acquired in Parandur. If it is not possible to destroy agriculture even more, it will not be possible to destroy agriculture. Chennai Airport is not only for the development of Chennai, it is for the development of entire Tamil Nadu

PMK Legislature Party President Sowmiya Anbumani said, “On behalf of Pasumai Thaayagam, we have already undertaken a 22-km cycle ride and raised awareness about the need to protect Pallikaranai. We have made and released a documentary film on the Pallikaranai Marshland. The Pallikaranai Marshland Authority announced that the Tamil Nad Park was built in 2012, that there is a Tamil Nadu park nearby. The Pallikaranai Marshland is dumped and there is an unpleasant smell, who among the public would go to that park to protect the Pallikaranai wetland should be measured using satellite images and officially notified.

Published – 30 Aug 2026 23:48 IST