The Karnataka government is moving forward with plans to establish a second airport for Bengaluru, responding to mounting pressure from rising air traffic, Indian Express has reported.
Industries Minister M B Patil announced that tenders are set to be floated imminently to commission a comprehensive viability study of three proposed sites near Bengaluru.
New airport can’t come up in 150-km aerial radius of Kempegowda airport
Bengaluru’s current international airport at Devanahalli, managed by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operates under an exclusivity agreement that restricts the development of another international airport within a 150-km aerial radius until 2033.
When will new airport become operational?
Patil told Indian Express that although the exclusivity clause with BIAL remains in place until 2033, the aim is for construction on the second airport to begin by 2030, ensuring that it becomes operational as soon as legally possible after 2033.
Tamil Nadu factor behind govt’s urgency
The Karnataka government’s urgency follows Tamil Nadu’s announcement of plans for an airport at Hosur, a location about 40 km southwest of Bengaluru, signalling the risk of losing potential traffic and economic opportunities to Hosur’s future facility.
Tamil Nadu has already submitted a site-clearance request for the Hosur airport earlier in November, adding immediacy to Karnataka’s own expansion plans, The Hindu had reported.
Three sites were considered by AAI
Earlier this year, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) inspected three prospective sites as part of an initial location assessment.
Of the proposed areas, two are situated along Kanakapura Road, while the third lies on Kunigal Road near Nelamangala.
According to officials, each location presents unique operational challenges, ranging from terrain to airspace considerations, which the AAI has highlighted for resolution, Hindustan Times had previously reported.