TN CM Vijay Unveils LPG Scheme, Expands Bus Travel, Shelves Parandur Airport

Summary: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, in a suo motu statement to the Legislative Assembly on 24 August 2026 under Rule 110, announced a major package of welfare measures: the new 'Annapoorani Super Six' LPG cylinder scheme, an expansion of the 'Vettri Payanam' free bus travel scheme for women, and confirmation that the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project has been dropped.

What Happened?

Under the 'Annapoorani Super Six' scheme, the government will reimburse the cost of three domestic LPG cylinders every year directly into the bank accounts of eligible women heads of households, benefiting about 1.30 crore families at an estimated annual cost of Rs 4,000 crore. Beneficiaries must have an annual family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh; economically weaker sections, small and marginal farmers, and families of differently-abled persons also qualify. The scheme is to begin around Pongal in January 2027, with the government citing global supply disruptions and the Gulf conflict as drivers of rising LPG costs.

The Chief Minister also announced that the 'Vettri Payanam' free bus travel scheme for women would be expanded from 2 October 2026 to cover Express, Deluxe and hill-area mofussil buses, in addition to ordinary-fare buses, with no restriction on income or number of trips.

Separately, Vijay confirmed that the long-debated Parandur greenfield airport project near Chennai — which had drawn sustained opposition from farmers unwilling to give up agricultural land — would be shelved, with the government to identify an alternative site for Chennai's second airport.

Background

The Annapoorani Super Six LPG cylinder pledge and the free bus travel scheme were both key election promises of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which formed the government after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The Parandur project had been proposed as a second airport for Chennai to ease pressure on Chennai International Airport at Meenambakkam.

TNPSC Relevance

• Tamil Nadu welfare scheme names, eligibility criteria and implementation timelines are frequently tested in TNPSC Tamil Nadu-specific sections.
• Understand the distinction between the existing free bus travel scheme and its expansion.
• Infrastructure policy: greenfield airport projects and land-acquisition concerns.

Key Facts

MCQs

Q1. The 'Annapoorani Super Six' scheme, announced on 24 August 2026, provides which benefit?

• (A) Free laptops for students
• (B) Reimbursement for the cost of three LPG cylinders annually
• (C) Free bus travel for senior citizens
• (D) Interest-free crop loans

Answer: (B)
Explanation: The scheme reimburses the cost of three domestic LPG cylinders per year to eligible women heads of households.

Q2. Which greenfield airport project did the Tamil Nadu government confirm would be dropped on 24 August 2026?

• (A) Parandur
• (B) Hosur
• (C) Trichy expansion
• (D) Salem airport

Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Parandur greenfield airport project near Chennai was shelved due to opposition from farmers.

Q3. From which date was the 'Vettri Payanam' free bus travel scheme expanded to Express and Deluxe buses?

• (A) 15 August 2026
• (B) 2 October 2026
• (C) 1 January 2027
• (D) 26 January 2027

Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Chief Minister announced the expansion would take effect from 2 October 2026.