Karnataka is all set to get its second international airport with the government deliberating and engaging in lengthy discussions over its location. According to the latest report in PTI, state’s Infrastructure Minister M B Patil on Monday (March 17) stated that the selection for the location of Bengaluru’s second airport will be based purely on merit.
The minister highlighted that the government will take into consideration the interests of the city, its residents, industries and the economy while making the said decision. Patil also added that the state officials, including him, are scheduled to hold a meeting with the Union Civil Aviation Minister after the Assembly session, where they will push for the Airport Authority of India’s team to visit the sites for approval, following which, the government will finalise a location.
“We have sent three names (to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation), after the session we will visit Delhi. The Airport Authority will have to visit for the site approval. That’s their role. Then the state government will have to decide based on the feasibility, viability,” Patil said.
Govt narrows down locations
It may be noted that, currently, the government has identified two potential sites, one on Kanakapura road near Harohalli and the other on Kunigal road in Nelamangala.
Patil emphasised that while the Kunigal road site is approximately 38 km away from the city center, the Kanakapura road site has better connectivity with the metro, NICE road and the Mysuru Expressway.
“The sites have been selected keeping in mind connectivity and that it should be within 50 km. If the place is too far, no one will come. We will give land, but investors have to come to invest and they will consider feasibility and viability before investing. No one will come and invest if we give land somewhere and tell them to come up with an airport. Giving land is our responsibility, rest will be on the PPP model,” he added.
The Minister emphasised that the decision on Bengaluru’s second airport will be made solely on merit and assured that he will not succumb to any external pressure.
“We are clear that considering the interest of Bengaluru, its people, industries and economy, we will take a decision. I haven’t buckled under any pressure so far and won’t budge in the future too,” he said.
Patil also informed that, in the meeting with the Union Civil Aviation Minister, he and the Secretary of his department will obtain the viability report, detailed project report and conduct study analyses. The decision will be made after this process. “We will obtain the viability report, detailed project report, conduct study analyses, and then take a call,” Karnataka Infrastructure Minister added.
He further mentioned plans to meet union ministers from the state, including Pralhad Joshi, V Somanna, and H D Kumaraswamy, to expedite the inspection process. “Once the site approval is granted, we can finalise the location,” he stated.
The Minister had previously noted that the exclusivity or preference clause for Bengaluru International Airport in Devanahalli would expire by 2033, with its capacity expected to reach 100 million passengers by 2030. Given this, the government has begun early preparations. “If we initiate the process now, it will take around seven to eight years,” he explained.
