New Delhi, Aug. 24 -- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on 24 August announced that his government would abandon steps taken to establish a new airport at Parandur, saying the project would affect agricultural land and disrupt the livelihoods of farmers and residents.

Speaking in the Assembly, Vijay said Chennai's Meenambakkam airport, operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), currently has the capacity to handle 30 million passengers annually. He said a new airport was needed considering the city's growing requirements, industrial development and increasing cargo transportation.

However, the Chief Minister said the new airport should be located at a place where agricultural land and residential areas are minimally affecte...