Chief Minister M Karunanidhi appealed to the people to extend support for the extension of the airport since it would be a paramount requirement for a growing metropolitan like Chennai.

Karunanidhi recalled that it was he who provided residential apartments in high-rise buildings for those who were living on pavements but the government now begs for land to expand the airport and assured the people that they will be given an alternative site.

When the government thinks of developing Chennai on par with the other metropolises in the country, certain forces were acting as roadblocks said the CM after declaring open the Express Avenue, the biggest shopping mall in South India.

The state government wished that Chennai should have bigger airport at least next to the one in New Delhi, the CM said.