Grounded: On Tamil Nadu’s Parandur airport project

Chennai needs more runways, not just (केवल, मात्र) new terminals

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government, in dropping (छोड़ देना, रद्द कर देना) the ₹27,400-crore greenfield airport (a completely new airport facility constructed on undeveloped land from scratch, without the constraints of an existing structure; new aviation hub, undeveloped-site airport, freshly built airport, new aerodrome) project at Parandur near Chennai, appears (प्रतीत होना, लगना) to have considered the opposition (विरोध, आपत्ति) to the project without weighing (विचार करना, आकलन करना) the consequences (परिणाम, दुष्परिणाम). The decision follows (परिणामस्वरूप होना) an electoral promise (वादा, आश्वासन) made by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who had visited the protesters in January 2025 to express (व्यक्त करना, प्रकट करना) his solidarity (एकजुटता, समर्थन). The government says the move (कदम, कार्रवाई) is aimed at protecting the interests (benefit, advantage, welfare, well-being) of farmers and local residents. It has also cited (to refer to; quote, adduce, mention, specify) the presence of waterbodies (lake, pond, reservoir, wetland) and has alleged (कथित, तथाकथित) commercial motives (उद्देश्य, मंशा) behind the site selection under (के अधीन, के नेतृत्व में) the previous DMK government. Notwithstanding (के बावजूद, बावजूद इसके) these official reasons, all valid (having a sound, logical, or factual basis; reasonable, rational, logical, justifiable) to varying (differing, diverse, fluctuating, changing) degrees (extent, level, measure, magnitude), it became clear (evident, obvious, apparent, unambiguous) from the day Mr. Vijay became Chief Minister, on May 10, 2026, that the decision was merely (just, only, simply, purely) a formality (official procedure, convention). In fact (actually, really, in reality, indeed), much before the announcement, on August 24, work on the project had come to a halt (to stop completely and suddenly from moving or progressing; stop, cease, conclude, terminate). However (used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously stated; nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, albeit), the move is likely (probable, expected, anticipated, plausible) to have adverse (preventing success or development; unfavorable, disadvantageous, harmful, detrimental) consequences for Tamil Nadu. The move risks (to incur the chance of an unfortunate consequence or outcome; endanger, jeopardize, imperil, hazard) creating a general perception that Tamil Nadu is unstable (volatile, unpredictable, erratic, insecure) in its infrastructure (the basic physical and organizational structures required for the operation of an economy; foundation, framework, base, underpinnings) policy (strategy, plan, blueprint), which the TVK government should have avoided, given (taking into account a specific circumstance or fact; considering, bearing in mind, in view of, noting) its goal (objective, aim, target, ambition) of making the State a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036.

While Mr. Vijay has spoken of identifying a new airport site, his proposal (suggestion, plan, scheme) for a Terminal (a building at an airport where passengers wait to get on an airplane or arrive from one; concourse, facility, building) 5 at the existing (current, present, active) airport is necessary and welcome (gladly received and producing a positive or desired effect; pleasing, agreeable, desired, appreciated). However, it is common knowledge (established fact, public knowledge, general knowledge, accepted truth) that a greenfield (relating to a project or development undertaken on land or in an area where there is no existing infrastructure or development; undeveloped, new, previously undeveloped) airport will take years to materialise (happen, occur, come about, take place), even with (in spite of a specific condition or factor being present; despite, notwithstanding, regardless of, for all) unwavering (remaining steady, resolute, and unchanging in support or focus; firm, steadfast, resolute, unshakeable) government attention — the idea for a second airport had been under consideration for over 25 years. At one stage (at a particular point in time during a sequence of events; at one point, previously, once, formerly), the Union government had wanted it to be developed on a build, operate and transfer mode (a specific method, manner, way, system). Unfortunately (used to express sadness or disappointment about a situation; unluckily, sadly, regrettably, alas), the project was caught in the game of (in a particular situation, activity, or field where people or groups compete, negotiate, or try to achieve an advantage; in the field of, in the context of, in the pursuit of, in competition over) political one-upmanship (the art or practice of gaining a feeling of superiority or an advantage over another person or group; competitiveness, rivalry, superiority, outdoing) between the two Dravidian (relating to the political ideology or parties in Tamil Nadu that advocate for regional empowerment and social justice) majors (a prominent, significant, or leading organization or political party in a particular region or field; key player, heavyweight, giant, leader). Meanwhile (meantime, at the same time, simultaneously, concurrently), Bengaluru and Hyderabad have had new second airports since 2008, despite (in spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of, in the face of) regime changes (the replacement of one government, administration, or ruling party by another; political transition, power transfer, government shift, leadership turnover). Passenger traffic here has grown at Tamil Nadu’s expense — at an annual average rate of 10% during (throughout the entire course or duration of a specific period; throughout, through, in, across) 2016-26 compared with 2.4% in Chennai. Parandur received the Union government’s final nod (approval, agreement, consent, endorsement) in July 2024, after much (a great amount or quantity of something; abundant, ample, considerable, substantial) groundwork (the preliminary or foundational work done in preparation for a project or policy; foundation, preparation, preliminaries, basics). When the State government is not the ultimate (final, absolute, concluding, definitive) authority in airport site selection, it would not be appropriate (suitable, proper, fitting, apt) to attribute (to regard a particular action or decision as being caused by someone or their motives; ascribe, assign, credit, pin on) motives to the DMK. Land for any mega project (an extremely large-scale, complex, and expensive infrastructure or investment project; massive undertaking, large-scale initiative, massive development) has always faced (to confront, encounter, or have to deal with a difficult situation or opposition; confront, encounter, tackle, deal with) landowner (property owner, proprietor, landholder) resistance (opposition, defiance, dissent, pushback) and the TVK regime (a government in power; government, administration, rule, authority) may experience (undergo, encounter, face, endure) this while identifying a new site. No development project can take place without disturbing the environment (the natural world and surroundings in a particular geographical area; nature, ecosystem, habitat, biosphere) and certain sections (a distinct group of people within a larger society or community; segment, part, division, faction) of society. Even Amsterdam’s (the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, noted globally for its advanced infrastructure and water management systems) busy Schiphol airport (the main international airport of the Netherlands, located near Amsterdam, famous for being situated below sea level in an area that was once a lake) sits over an area that was once a lake. At the existing airport in Chennai, a runway was affected by the severe floods in 2015. What policymakers (legislator, administrator, official) should bear in mind (to remember and consider a piece of information when making a decision; consider, note, remember, take into account) is the need (necessity, requirement, obligation, demand) to balance (to offset or compare the value of one thing against another to achieve harmony or equal attention; harmonize, equalize, weigh, stabilize) development and climate change (long-term, significant shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, largely caused by human activities; global warming, environmental change, ecological shift, climate crisis) challenges (difficulty, problem, hurdle, obstacle). Chennai needs more runways, not just new terminals.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.just (adverb)

Hindi Meaning - केवल, मात्र
English Meaning - only, merely, solely.

2.drop (verb)

Hindi Meaning - छोड़ देना, रद्द कर देना
English Meaning - abandon, cancel.

3.appear (verb)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतीत होना, लगना
English Meaning - to give the impression of being or doing something; seem, look, show, sound.

4.opposition (noun)

Hindi Meaning - विरोध, आपत्ति
English Meaning - resistance, objection, hostility, disapproval.

5.weigh (verb)

Hindi Meaning - विचार करना, आकलन करना
English Meaning - to carefully consider or assess the nature, value, or consequences of a decision before acting; consider, evaluate, assess, contemplate.

6.consequence (noun)

Hindi Meaning - परिणाम, दुष्परिणाम
English Meaning - result, outcome, repercussion, ramification.

7.follow (verb)

Hindi Meaning - परिणामस्वरूप होना
English Meaning - to happen or occur as a result of something else; ensue, succeed, result from, trail.

8.promise (noun)

Hindi Meaning - वादा, आश्वासन
English Meaning - pledge, vow, commitment, assurance.

9.express (verb)

Hindi Meaning - व्यक्त करना, प्रकट करना
English Meaning - convey, communicate, manifest, demonstrate.

10.solidarity (noun)

Hindi Meaning - एकजुटता, समर्थन
English Meaning - unity, harmony, cohesion, unanimity.

11.move (noun)

Hindi Meaning - कदम, कार्रवाई
English Meaning - action, step, measure, initiative.

12.alleged (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - कथित, तथाकथित
English Meaning - claimed, asserted, supposed, purported.

13.motive (noun)

Hindi Meaning - उद्देश्य, मंशा
English Meaning - a hidden or underlying reason for doing something; reason, intention, purpose, rationale.

14.under (preposition)

Hindi Meaning - के अधीन, के नेतृत्व में
English Meaning - governed by, ruled by, directed by, led by.

15.notwithstanding (preposition)

Hindi Meaning - के बावजूद, बावजूद इसके
English Meaning - in spite of the things mentioned; despite, regardless of, ignoring, discounting.

16.interest (noun)

English Meaning - benefit, advantage, welfare, well-being.

17.waterbody (noun)

English Meaning - lake, pond, reservoir, wetland.

18.Grounded (adjective)

English Meaning - (of an aircraft, project, or plan) prevented from proceeding, operating, or taking flight; halted, stalled, suspended, stopped.

19.runway (noun)

English Meaning - a leveled strip of ground on which aircraft take off and land; airstrip, landing strip, flight strip, tarmac.

20.terminal (noun)

English Meaning - a building at an airport where passengers wait to get on an airplane or arrive from one; concourse, facility, building.

21.greenfield (adjective)

English Meaning - relating to a project or development undertaken on land or in an area where there is no existing infrastructure or development; undeveloped, new, previously undeveloped.

22.brownfield (adjective)

English Meaning - relating to a project or development carried out on land or sites that already have existing infrastructure or previous development; redeveloped, existing-site, previously developed, established.

23.greenfield airport (noun)

English Meaning - a completely new airport facility constructed on undeveloped land from scratch, without the constraints of an existing structure; new aviation hub, undeveloped-site airport, freshly built airport, new aerodrome.

24.cite (verb)

English Meaning - to refer to; quote, adduce, mention, specify.

25.valid (adjective)

English Meaning - having a sound, logical, or factual basis; reasonable, rational, logical, justifiable.

26.varying (adjective)

English Meaning - differing, diverse, fluctuating, changing.

27.degree (noun)

English Meaning - extent, level, measure, magnitude.

28.clear (adjective)

English Meaning - evident, obvious, apparent, unambiguous.

29.merely (adverb)

English Meaning - just, only, simply, purely.

30.formality (noun)

English Meaning - official procedure, convention.

31.in fact (phrase)

English Meaning - actually, really, in reality, indeed.

32.come to a halt (phrase)

English Meaning - to stop completely and suddenly from moving or progressing; stop, cease, conclude, terminate.

33.however (adverb)

English Meaning - used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously stated; nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, albeit.

34.likely (adjective)

English Meaning - probable, expected, anticipated, plausible.

35.adverse (adjective)

English Meaning - preventing success or development; unfavorable, disadvantageous, harmful, detrimental.

36.risk (verb)

English Meaning - to incur the chance of an unfortunate consequence or outcome; endanger, jeopardize, imperil, hazard.

37.unstable (adjective)

English Meaning - volatile, unpredictable, erratic, insecure.

38.infrastructure (noun)

English Meaning - the basic physical and organizational structures required for the operation of an economy; foundation, framework, base, underpinnings.

39.policy (noun)

English Meaning - strategy, plan, blueprint.

40.given (preposition)

English Meaning - taking into account a specific circumstance or fact; considering, bearing in mind, in view of, noting.

41.goal (noun)

English Meaning - objective, aim, target, ambition.

42.speak of (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to mention, talk about, or discuss something; mention, discuss, refer to, state.

43.proposal (noun)

English Meaning - suggestion, plan, scheme.

44.existing (adjective)

English Meaning - current, present, active.

45.welcome (adjective)

English Meaning - gladly received and producing a positive or desired effect; pleasing, agreeable, desired, appreciated.

46.common knowledge (noun)

English Meaning - established fact, public knowledge, general knowledge, accepted truth.

47.materialise (verb)

English Meaning - happen, occur, come about, take place.

48.even with (phrase)

English Meaning - in spite of a specific condition or factor being present; despite, notwithstanding, regardless of, for all.

49.unwavering (adjective)

English Meaning - remaining steady, resolute, and unchanging in support or focus; firm, steadfast, resolute, unshakeable.

50.at one stage (phrase)

English Meaning - at a particular point in time during a sequence of events; at one point, previously, once, formerly.

51.the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model (noun)

English Meaning - it is a public-private partnership (PPP) model used for large-scale infrastructure projects. A private company receives a concession from the public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility for a set period.

52.mode (noun)

English Meaning - a specific method, manner, way, system.

53.unfortunately (adverb)

English Meaning - used to express sadness or disappointment about a situation; unluckily, sadly, regrettably, alas.

54.catch in (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to become unwillingly involved or entangled in a difficult situation or conflict; entangle, embroil, involve, trap.

55.in the game of (phrase)

English Meaning - in a particular situation, activity, or field where people or groups compete, negotiate, or try to achieve an advantage; in the field of, in the context of, in the pursuit of, in competition over.

56.one-upmanship (noun)

English Meaning - the art or practice of gaining a feeling of superiority or an advantage over another person or group; competitiveness, rivalry, superiority, outdoing.

57.Dravidian (adjective)

English Meaning - relating to the political ideology or parties in Tamil Nadu that advocate for regional empowerment and social justice.

58.major (noun)

English Meaning - a prominent, significant, or leading organization or political party in a particular region or field; key player, heavyweight, giant, leader.

59.meanwhile (adverb)

English Meaning - meantime, at the same time, simultaneously, concurrently.

60.despite (preposition)

English Meaning - in spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of, in the face of.

61.regime change (noun)

English Meaning - the replacement of one government, administration, or ruling party by another; political transition, power transfer, government shift, leadership turnover.

62.at someone’s expense (phrase)

English Meaning - in a manner that causes disadvantage, harm, or loss specifically to someone; to the detriment of, at the cost of , sacrificing, harming.

63.during (preposition)

English Meaning - throughout the entire course or duration of a specific period; throughout, through, in, across.

64.compare with (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - contrast with, juxtapose with, measure against, weigh against.

65.nod (noun)

English Meaning - approval, agreement, consent, endorsement.

66.much (adjective)

English Meaning - a great amount or quantity of something; abundant, ample, considerable, substantial.

67.groundwork (noun)

English Meaning - the preliminary or foundational work done in preparation for a project or policy; foundation, preparation, preliminaries, basics.

68.ultimate (adjective)

English Meaning - final, absolute, concluding, definitive.

69.appropriate (adjective)

English Meaning - suitable, proper, fitting, apt.

70.attribute (verb)

English Meaning - to regard a particular action or decision as being caused by someone or their motives; ascribe, assign, credit, pin on.

71.mega project (noun)

English Meaning - an extremely large-scale, complex, and expensive infrastructure or investment project; massive undertaking, large-scale initiative, massive development.

72.face (verb)

English Meaning - to confront, encounter, or have to deal with a difficult situation or opposition; confront, encounter, tackle, deal with.

73.landowner (noun)

English Meaning - property owner, proprietor, landholder.

74.resistance (noun)

English Meaning - opposition, defiance, dissent, pushback.

75.regime (noun)

English Meaning - a government in power; government, administration, rule, authority.

76.experience (verb)

English Meaning - undergo, encounter, face, endure.

77.environment (noun)

English Meaning - the natural world and surroundings in a particular geographical area; nature, ecosystem, habitat, biosphere.

78.section (noun)

English Meaning - a distinct group of people within a larger society or community; segment, part, division, faction.

79.Amsterdam (proper noun)

English Meaning - the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, noted globally for its advanced infrastructure and water management systems.

80.Schiphol airport (proper noun)

English Meaning - the main international airport of the Netherlands, located near Amsterdam, famous for being situated below sea level in an area that was once a lake.

81.sit over (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - to be located, situated, or built directly on top of a specific geographical feature; rest on, be located on, be placed over, lie upon.

82.policymaker (noun)

English Meaning - legislator, administrator, official.

83.bear in mind (phrase)

English Meaning - to remember and consider a piece of information when making a decision; consider, note, remember, take into account.

84.need (noun)

English Meaning - necessity, requirement, obligation, demand.

85.balance (verb)

English Meaning - to offset or compare the value of one thing against another to achieve harmony or equal attention; harmonize, equalize, weigh, stabilize.

86.climate change (noun)

English Meaning - long-term, significant shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, largely caused by human activities; global warming, environmental change, ecological shift, climate crisis.

87.challenge (noun)

English Meaning - difficulty, problem, hurdle, obstacle.