Hosur Airport: AAI Is Fine With 2 Shortlisted Sites Near Bengaluru; What's Next?

After evaluating two shortlisted sites, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has reportedly submitted a draft feasibility report to the Tamil Nadu government for the proposed airport in Hosur.

2 Choosen Out Of 5

The DMK government had zeroed in five sites last year, out of which two have been shortlisted. With the AAI submitting the draft feasibility report, the authorities have to now carry out an Obstacle Limitation Surface Survey and air space analysis, according to a report in The Hindu.

The two shortlisted sites is located 1.5 km from Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) airstrip and the other around 15.5 km near Ulagam (east of Hosur and north of Shoolagiri).

"Both sites are suitable for building an airport. It is for the State government to decide which one they want to go ahead with," the English daily quoted a source as saying. However, another source informed that more detailed studies are necessary, particularly regarding airspace constraints and safety evaluations. These assessments are expected to be completed by April.

Regulatory Roadblocks

A major challenge for the Hosur airport project is the agreement between Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Under this agreement, no new airport can be developed within a 150 km radius of Bengaluru's airport until 2033. This means the Tamil Nadu government will need to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from BIAL before proceeding further.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that no proposal for the Hosur airport has been submitted under the Greenfield Airports Policy. He was responding to Rajya Sabha MP R Dharmar's query on whether the Centre had identified high-potential areas for airport development in Tamil Nadu.

The proposed airport is planned to be constructed with two runways over nearly 2,000 acres.

What's Next?

As per the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, any state government or developer seeking to establish a new airport must conduct a pre-feasibility study and obtain approval from the central government. Tamil Nadu will need to submit a formal proposal to move forward.

Currently, the state has six operational airports, including international hubs in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirapalli. The addition of an airport in Hosur could enhance connectivity and boost economic growth, but it remains to be seen how the regulatory and logistical hurdles will be navigated.