Chennai Airport issue turns political

Chennai: The Chennai Airport expansion plan is turning into a political issue even as two of India's busiest airports are set to be modernised. Both the Dravidian parties in the state are now offering tacit support to the project, which could dislocate several thousand people. Over the past few weeks there is an apprehension that over five thousand houses in the area may soon be demolished as part of the airport modernisation plan.
The move will render over fifty thousand people homeless. Former civil aviation minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy of the BJP says the proposed project could be an environmental hazard of sorts since a river passes through the village. According to him, the Bangalore and Hyderabad model of an additional airport on the outskirts of the city could be a solution.
The local people feel betrayed as both the Dravidian parties in the state, the AIADMK and the DMK remain quiet, almost approving their dislocation
04/04/06 Sam Daniel/NDTV.com

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