Second Airport In South Bengaluru Could Alter BBMP's 250m Sky Deck Project

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is facing challenges with its ambitious plan to establish a 250-meter tall sky deck at Hemmigepura near Kengeri, as it may inadvertently interfere with the proposal for a second airport in south Bengaluru. Originally intended for the Central Business District (CBD), the sky deck project was abandoned after the BBMP realised it would not obtain the necessary approvals from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and defense authorities.

A senior BBMP official revealed that the initial plans included identifying a 10-acre site at the New Government Electric Factory (NGEF) near Baiyappanahalli metro station and considering land from Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL). However, upon discovering the expected regulatory difficulties in securing permissions for these locations, BBMP officials turned their attention to Hemmigepura.

A 25-acre plot along the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) road in Hemmigepura was ultimately chosen. The Urban Development Department (UDD) has requested the land be provided free of cost by the promoter of the NICE.

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar is keen on establishing the second airport either near Bidadi or Kanakapura in the southern region, to alleviate congestion at the existing Kempegowda International Airport located in north Bengaluru. However, experts warn that the proposed sky deck in Hemmigepura could jeopardize this plan.

According to aviation experts, should the government finalize land for the new airport, the sky deck's location may need to be reconsidered. Current discussions involve the possibility of situating the second airport within Ramanagara district, specifically at Bidadi, to ease the overwhelming passenger traffic from the Kempegowda International Airport, which serviced over 37.5 million passengers in 2023-24. The government has already constructed a new terminal to accommodate this surge, emphasizing the urgent need for an additional international airport.

Given that the construction of the second airport will impose height restrictions within a 25 km radius, officials are now searching for alternative locations for the sky deck. Potential new sites include the Rorik Estate in Tataguni along Kanakapura Road. Previously considered areas such as NGEF, the soap factory near Yeshvantpur, Whitefield, GKVK, Racecourse, and the Bengaluru Palace premises have been dismissed due to security concerns, particularly relating to Kempegowda International Airport and HAL Airport.

Despite the complications, the BBMP is determined to push forward with the sky deck initiative, with discussions indicating that Hemmigepura remains a viable possibility for the time being. However, the continuous conversation surrounding the second international airport suggests that the sky deck's location might ultimately need to be adjusted to facilitate the city's expanding air transport infrastructure. As Bengaluru grapples with increasing air travel demands, the push for additional facilities is more crucial than ever.