The plan for Bengaluru’s second international airport has hit turbulence after the Airports Authority of India (AAI) raised serious concerns about all three proposed sites shortlisted by the Karnataka government.
The three sites — Chudahalli and Somanahalli near Harohalli on Kanakapura Road, and another near Nelamangala on Kunigal Road — were inspected by AAI experts in April 2025.
However, the inspection report, instead of identifying a clear front-runner, pointed out multiple technical, environmental, and logistical challenges across all locations.
AAI Flags Major Technical Hurdles
According to AAI’s assessment, each of the proposed sites poses unique feasibility challenges such as terrain constraints, air-traffic conflicts, and limited space for runway expansion.
Officials familiar with the report said that none of the three sites fully meets the ideal parameters for establishing a large-scale international airport capable of handling Bengaluru’s projected air-traffic growth over the next two decades.
The issues flagged include:
- Topographical challenges at the Harohalli sites.
- Proximity to restricted airspace and flight path overlaps with Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
- Land acquisition difficulties near Nelamangala due to dense habitation and industrial zones.
Government to Commission Feasibility Study
Despite the AAI’s critical observations, Karnataka’s Minister for Heavy, Medium Industries and Infrastructure, M.B. Patil, clarified that the inspection report is part of a standard evaluation process.
“The AAI report lists both the pros and cons of each location. We will now move forward with a techno-economic and financial feasibility study to arrive at a final recommendation,” Patil said.
The proposed study will assess factors such as land availability, connectivity, environmental impact, and cost efficiency before a final site is chosen.
Why Bengaluru Needs a Second Airport
Bengaluru’s existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has been among the busiest airports in India, handling over 37 million passengers annually. With the city’s continued growth as a tech and manufacturing hub, air-traffic demand is projected to double by 2035, prompting the state government to explore a second airport to handle future capacity.
However, delays in finalizing a suitable site could push back timelines for construction and operations by several years.
What’s Next
The Karnataka Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) is expected to float tenders soon for the feasibility study. The process will take several months, after which the government will submit its final recommendation to the Centre and the AAI for approval.
If all goes as planned, officials estimate that construction on the new airport could begin only by 2028–2029, with operations commencing in the early 2030s.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
