Bengaluru Second Airport Location: 6 Sites Identified, Plan To Be Ready Within 3 Months

The Karnataka government plans to acquire 3,000 to 5,000 acres of land to construct a new international airport in Bengaluru, capable of handling 100 million passengers annually, comparable in size to Kempegowda International Airport.

According to Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil, the new airport is expected to be operational by 2035, subject to an exclusivity clause that prohibits the establishment of another international airport within a 150 km radius until then.

M.B. Patil had earlier revealed that the state government is set to organize a meeting soon to finalize the site for Bengaluru's proposed second airport.

The decision-making will center on two key factors: passenger volume and connectivity to the current Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

"Areas like Sarjapura and Kanakapura Road are top contenders if we prioritise handling passenger loads," stated Patil. "Alternatively, if connectivity to KIA takes precedence, locations like Tumakuru and Dobbaspet will emerge as frontrunners."

When asked about Tamil Nadu's plans to build an airport in Hosur, which borders Bengaluru, Minister Patil replied that he was unaware if the idea was genuine but noted that Tamil Nadu's announcement followed Karnataka's proposal for a second international airport in Bengaluru. "Things will move quickly," the Minister assured, adding that a plan will be ready within the next three months.

With Kempegowda International Airport projected to reach its passenger capacity limit by 2035 and cargo capacity saturation by 2040, the government is evaluating six potential sites approximately 60 kilometers from the existing Devanahalli airport. A dedicated committee comprising aviation experts will convene soon to assess suitable locations, prioritising factors such as robust road, rail, and metro connectivity, minimal residential areas, limited water bodies, sparse green cover, and flat, non-agricultural terrain.

"The process is expected to gain momentum in the coming months, with a comprehensive plan slated for completion within the next three months," Minister Patil affirmed.

Addressing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's recent announcement regarding an airport in Hosur bordering Bengaluru, Minister Patil responded, "While I'm uncertain if it was merely a casual consideration, Karnataka had previously articulated plans for a second international airport for Bengaluru, which Tamil Nadu responded to subsequently."

In 2020, the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce had advocated for the establishment of a second airport for the state capital, proposing a site situated between Ramanagara and Channapatna.