Hosur Airport: Amid Karnataka's Second Bengaluru Airport Plans, TN Govt's Ambitious Project Faces Hurdle

Tamil Nadu government's ambitious airport plans in Hosur has met with a roadblock as farmers are opposing it.

Over 20 farmers from villages near Hosur submitted a petition to the district collector on Monday, expressing their opposition to the proposed greenfield airport, The New Indian Express reported. The project, which could impact farmlands across seven village panchayats in Denkanikottai and Hosur taluks, has sparked concerns about livelihoods and agricultural sustainability.

Speaking to the English daily, a farmer named M Veerabadrappa (37) of Mugalur village told: "The proposed airport which will be constructed near seven village panchayats in Denkanikottai and Hosur taluks will affect the livelihood of farmers. Once constructed, people from Belakondapalli, Hosapuram, Kalukondapalli, Gobanapalli and other villages will be affected".

He added that a drone survey was conducted the previous month, but they refused to share further information. He said that the survey should be stopped and that this project should not be carried out near their villages.

District Collector KM Sarayu clarified that the Tamil Nadu government is yet to finalize the site for the airport. She also stated that the district administration had not approved any drone surveys as mentioned in the petition and directed tahsildars to investigate the claims.

The project comes at a time when Karnataka is planning its second airport in Bengaluru to counter the Tamil Nadu government's airport plans in Hosur.

Government Plans for the Airport

On the other hand, the Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted two locations in Hosur, Krishnagiri district, for the greenfield airport which will address the region's growing manufacturing and logistics needs. However, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is yet to conduct a detailed feasibility study of the sites.

In September, a joint team from AAI and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) evaluated four locations: Thogarai Agraharam, Shoolagiri, Dhasapalli, and a site near an existing private airstrip. The state has since narrowed the options to two, with further assessment likely for the area near the private airstrip.

The DMK government is planning to construct the airport in 2,000 acres which could handle up to 3 crore passengers annually.

Hosur, traditionally an automotive hub, is emerging as a center for advanced manufacturing, electronics, and electric vehicles. The greenfield airport is expected to strengthen Tamil Nadu's industrial footprint and contribute to the creation of a twin-city ecosystem with Bengaluru.