The government of Karnataka has fast-tracked the process of second international airport in Bengaluru by short-listing three potential locations for the airport site. The proposal with the three selected locations is sent to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. 

As per the proposal – 

  • The two locations are situated along Kanakapura Road in south Bengaluru, diagonally opposite the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). 
  • First location falls under Ramanagara district with extent of land identified 4,800 acres
  • The second location is near Harohalli, less than 10 km away from the last green line Metro station
  • The third location comes under the purview of the Bangalore Urban district on the Kunigal Road in Nelamangala, where the authorities have identified about 5,200 acres of land.

The state government is ready to provide a minimum of 4,500 acres of land at any one of the locations finalised by the Ministry, the government said in its proposal. 

The current Bengaluru International Airport is nearing its saturation point.  

Commenting on the reasons behind the urgency of a second airport, State Heavy Industries Minister M B Patil said, “The exclusivity clause or preference clause of the Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli will end by 2033, and the airport’s capacity of 100 million passengers will be achieved by 2030. We are preparing for a second airport with good intentions. We started now, but it will need seven to eight years to complete the construction of the airport.”

In the next step, the Civil Aviation minister will send a team from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to study the locations before finalising the site for the second airport. Post this, a detailed financial feasibility study will be conducted based on their recommendations. The state government also informed the Ministry that all three locations are within a 50-km radius of the Bengaluru city centre and have excellent access to roads, including national highways. The Ministry is also of the view that any airport built within a 50-km radius of the city would be economically viable.

The passenger traffic at KIA is projected to reach 90 million by 2033; eyeing this rising passenger traffic at Bengaluru airport, the authorities are compelled to take prompt steps towards building the new airport. 

Besides, Karnataka is also worried about Tamil Nadu rapid progress in developing an airport in Hosur. If the Karnataka government delays its plans, there is a chance that Bangalore might lose its passenger numbers to Tamil Nadu.