Hosur Airport Next To Bengaluru: Can TN Proceed Despite BIAL Pact? Here's What Union Minister Says

In what could be considered a positive development to Tamil Nadu's ambitious plan to build a new airport in Hosur, located near Bengaluru, the central government has promised to intervene in the existing concession agreement with Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL).

The BIAL Pact - Hurdle

The BIAL Hurdle The Hosur Greenfield Project faces a major challenge due to a clause in the BIAL agreement that prohibits the construction of a new airport within a 150-kilometer aerial radius until 2033.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, responding to a query in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, assured that the central government would adopt a "positive" approach to Tamil Nadu's proposal.

Here's What Union Minister Says About Hosur Airport Plans

According to a report in The New Indian Express, Naidu acknowledged the need for a new airport in Hosur, given the increasing traffic at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport, but described the situation as "challenging and tricky" due to the BIAL pact. In order to reach a consensus on the issue, the union government, BIAL, and the Tamil Nadu government would need to sit together.

Hosur Industries Urge TN Govt

Recently, the push for a Hosur airport has come as industries and residents in the region currently rely heavily on Bengaluru's airport, located nearly 80 kilometers away. This not only increases logistical costs but also adds to travel time, making a strong case for a dedicated airport in Hosur. Industry bodies like the Hosur Industries Association (HIA) and Hosur Small and Tiny Industries Association (HOSTIA) have urged the state government to expedite the project. They have recommended conducting a detailed study of two shortlisted locations, including areas near the privately owned Taneja Aerospace and Aviation (TAAL) airport.

The project was formally announced by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in October, last year. The state government plans to take up the greenfield project which will be built in over 2,000 acres that is capable of handling 30 million passengers annually.

Hosur Airport Gives Boost To Development

The project is expected to not only boost passenger travel but also significantly enhance freight movement, benefiting the region's thriving industrial sector.

While the BIAL agreement remains a hurdle, there is precedent for relaxation. AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai highlighted that a similar concession agreement with GMR Airports Limited was relaxed to allow the construction of a second airport in Hyderabad, the report added.

This has raised hopes that a similar solution can be found for Hosur.

With the central government's assurance and growing industry support, the dream of a Hosur airport is inching closer to reality. However, the final decision will depend on negotiations between BIAL, the central government, and Tamil Nadu. For now, all eyes are on how this "tricky situation" will be resolved to meet the growing demand for better connectivity between Hosur and Bengaluru.