Bengaluru’s 2nd airport: Karnataka floats tender to appoint consultant for feasibility study of three shortlisted sites

In April 2025, a team of AAI officials inspected three locations for Bengaluru’s second airport

Setting the ball rolling for Bengaluru’s second airport, Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KSIIDC) has floated a tender to appoint a consultant to prepare a detailed strategic and technical site feasibility report for three shortlisted locations in the outskirts of the city.

The move follows a preliminary assessment by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which has identified three sites for the development of a greenfield airport to meet the city’s rising air traffic demand.

Also read | Bengaluru's second airport: Chudahalli, Somanahalli, Kunigal Road top locations in race

The feasibility report is expected to play a major role in identifying the location of Bengaluru’s second airport. This comes after Tamil Nadu is fast-tracking an international airport in Hosur, close to the Karnataka border, with a projected capacity to handle 30 million passengers annually.

Moneycontrol on March 19 reported that Chudahalli and Somanahalli on Kanakapura Road, along with a site on Nelamangala-Kunigal Road, have been shortlisted for Bengaluru’s second airport.

Three sites under consideration

The shortlisted locations include two sites near Kanakapura Road- Chudahalli and Somanahalli- and one near Nelamangala off Tumakuru Road. The state government has identified around 4,500 acres at each location for the proposed airport project.

While deputy CM and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar favours locating the second airport on Kanakapura Road, home minister G Parameshwara is backing Tumakuru Road.

Also read | Bengaluru’s second airport: Karnataka to send proposal to AAI this week, says MB Patil

According to the tender document, two Kanakapura Road sites are adjacent and have overlapping land areas. "These will need to be evaluated individually as well as jointly to assess their potential as a combined site. Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) has also kept the option open to add another site for evaluation during the course of the assignment, subject to mutually agreed timelines and costs," it said.

Also read | Bengaluru's second airport: Karnataka govt shortlists three sites amid ministers' tug-of-war

Why a second airport?

The tender document states that Bengaluru is among India's fastest-growing metropolitan regions, with sustained growth in economic activity and infrastructure development. With air passenger and cargo traffic steadily increasing, the state government sees the need for a second airport to complement Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

"While preliminary technical assessments have found all three sites feasible, a detailed strategic and technical evaluation is required to identify the preferred location," the document states.

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Scope of the feasibility study

The selected consultant will undertake a multi-dimensional assessment covering technical, strategic, operational, environmental, and economic aspects. This will include a detailed review of AAI's earlier feasibility studies, focusing on physical attributes such as land size, topography and zoning; meteorological conditions; availability of power, water and sewerage infrastructure; surrounding population and development; environmental considerations; and distance from major demand centres in Bengaluru.

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A comprehensive technical feasibility study will also be carried out, including topographical, geotechnical, hydrological and meteorological surveys, obstacle limitation surface (OLS) studies, drainage and soil assessments, and evaluation of power lines and other utilities that may need diversion.

Traffic, connectivity and viability

A major component of the study will be traffic demand assessment. The consultant will project passenger and cargo traffic over a 35-year horizon, with estimates at five-year intervals, and assess road, rail and air connectivity requirements. Catchment areas for domestic and international passenger and cargo operations will also be mapped.

Also read |  Bengaluru’s second airport: Central team to inspect three shortlisted sites on April 8

In addition, the study will examine economic and financial viability, including high-level cost estimates for development, operation and maintenance of the proposed airport.

Clearances and strategic site selection

The consultant will also identify statutory approvals and regulatory clearances required for a greenfield airport, including those from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ICAO, Ministry of Defence and local authorities. Regulatory constraints related to airspace usage, noise norms and proximity to national parks or wildlife sanctuaries will be analysed, with mitigation measures suggested where required.

Also read | A second airport for Bengaluru on the cards, Karnataka scouts for land

Based on these inputs, a strategic framework will be developed to evaluate each site individually and, in the case of the two Kanakapura Road locations, jointly. Factors such as land availability, airspace management vis-à-vis existing airports and military airfields, surface connectivity, logistics and industrial potential, tourism prospects, utility availability and catchment area optimisation will guide the final recommendation.

Also read | Bengaluru's second airport: AAI report expected in 2-3 days, says Karnataka minister MB Patil