Bengaluru’s Second Airport Plans Intensify as Karnataka Fast-Tracks Project Amid Hosur’s Proposal

Bengaluru may soon get a second airport, with the Karnataka government identifying three potential locations for this new facility-Chudahalli and Somanahalli along Kanakapura Road, and a site along the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road. These sites have been proposed to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for a pre-feasibility study, as per a report by Moneycontrol.

In a letter dated March 5, the state government outlined its plans and assigned the Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Limited (iDeCK) to assess key aspects such as technical feasibility, connectivity through road, rail, and metro networks, and overall viability.

AAI to Conduct Feasibility Study

An official from the government confirmed that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will soon inspect the shortlisted locations. "We are prepared to provide at least 4,500 acres of land at any of the selected sites," the official said.

The government has based its selection on four primary factors:

• Connectivity via national and state highways
• Accessibility through rail and metro networks
• Distance and travel time for passengers
• Land characteristics, including topography, population density, and water availability

Karnataka's urgency in pushing forward this proposal comes amid Tamil Nadu's plans to establish an international airport near Hosur, which is close to Bengaluru.

Government's Commitment to Fast-Tracking the Project

State Infrastructure Minister MB Patil reaffirmed that the final decision will be taken purely on merit, without external influences.

"Following the legislative assembly session, I will travel to Delhi to discuss these locations with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and other central government officials. The AAI will inspect the sites, and the state government will move forward based on feasibility reports," Patil said.

Providing further insights, he stated that the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road site is approximately 38 km from the city center, while Kanakapura Road offers superior connectivity due to its proximity to the Metro, NICE Road, and Mysuru Expressway.

Land Availability and Investor Participation

The selected locations fall within a 50-km radius of the city to ensure passenger convenience. "If the site is too far from the city, it will not attract enough travelers. The state will provide the land, but private investors will need to assess feasibility and invest in development. Our role is to ensure land availability, while the project will be executed under the PPP model," Patil added.

A major obstacle to building a second airport in Bengaluru has been the exclusivity clause with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which prevents another airport from being developed within a 150-km radius. However, this restriction will expire in 2032, opening the door for a new airport by 2033.

The need for an additional airport has been evident for years. A previous proposal to build a third runway at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) was scrapped due to land limitations. Moreover, the HAL Airport in Bengaluru, which ceased commercial operations in 2008 when KIA was launched, remains operational only for military, VIP, and chartered flights.

With Bengaluru's rapid growth and increasing air traffic, a second airport could soon become a reality, easing congestion at KIA and improving connectivity for travelers.