Karnataka Infrastructure Minister MB Patil, on July 7, announced that the state government will soon convene a meeting to decide the location for the proposed second airport for the city.
Patil said that before making a final decision, the government would consider two main aspects: passenger load and connectivity to the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
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"If we prioritise passenger loads, areas such as Sarjapura and Kanakapura Road are strong contenders," Patil said. "On the other hand, if connectivity to the existing airport becomes a priority, places like Tumakuru and Dobbaspet will be in the lead".
"These considerations will be discussed in the next departmental meeting and further reviewed with the CM. The matter will also be brought up in the cabinet meeting," he said.
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He said that the exclusivity clause with the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which restricts the establishment of another airport within a 150-km radius, ends in 2032. This allows for the potential development of a new airport by 2033. "Considering the time required for land acquisition and compensation for landowners, the government has initiated the planning process," the minister said.
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Patil highlighted that major cities like New York and London have multiple airports nearby. "In Mumbai, the distance between the two airports is 36 Km," he said.
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On the Tamil Nadu government's decision to build an airport in Hosur, Patil said it needs to be examined whether the exclusivity clause with BIAL applies to this situation.
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