Hosur Airport: When Will Tamil Nadu Finalise The Site For Greenfield Airport?

The Tamil Nadu government is on track to finalize the location for a proposed greenfield airport in Hosur by April, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) expected to complete its detailed study of two shortlisted sites within a week.

Two Sites Finalised For Hosur Airport

The AAI is currently evaluating two potential sites near Hosur, one of which is located just 1.5 kilometers from the private airstrip operated by Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) in Belagondapalli. The other site is near Ulagam, east of Hosur and north of Shoolagiri. Both locations fall within a 20-kilometer radius and were selected from an initial list of five sites proposed by the state government, according to a report in Deccan Herald.

Key factors influencing the final decision include connectivity, land availability, minimal human habitation, absence of major water bodies, and the extent of government-owned land.

"Less human habitation, less disturbances, no major water bodies in the vicinity, and the extent of availability of government land are some of the key factors that will help finalise the site location. We are expecting the AAI report will be detailed enough for us to take a call," the English daily quoted a source as saying.

Regulatory Hurdle

The project, however, faces a regulatory hurdle due to a concessionaire agreement between Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and the Union Government, which restricts the construction of new airports within a 150-kilometer radius of BIAL until 2030. Tamil Nadu has been in discussions with BIAL and TAAL for several years to navigate this challenge.

The proposed airport, planned to span 2,000 acres, will initially feature a single runway. Its construction is expected to boost Hosur's industrial and economic growth, providing a much-needed infrastructure boost to the region. The state government's announcement in June 2024 about the greenfield airport has been met with enthusiasm, especially given the precedent set by GMR's Hyderabad International Airport, which recently waived its exclusivity clause to allow an aerodrome in Warangal district.

Second Airport In Bengaluru

Meanwhile, Karnataka has already identified two sites for new airports- one near Kanakapura Road close to Harohalli and another on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has narrowed down its options to two potential locations for the proposed Hosur airport, according to a report by The Hindu.