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

Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) managing director Khushboo Goel briefed a team of senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), who are in Bengaluru to assess potential sites for the proposed airport.

A central team will visit three shortlisted sites—Chudahalli and Somanahalli on Kanakapura Road, and one on Nelamangala–Kunigal Road—on April 8 (Tuesday) to carry out a pre-feasibility survey for Bengaluru’s second airport.

Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) managing director Khushboo Goel briefed a team of senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), who are in Bengaluru to assess potential sites for the proposed airport.

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

“The team will visit two sites on Kanakapura Road and one on Nelamangala–Kunigal Road tomorrow for inspection. Following this, they are scheduled to meet Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil on Wednesday,” said an official statement.

The team includes Vikram Singh, general manager (operations), Airports Authority of India (AAI); K Srinivasa Rao, joint general manager (communication, navigation & surveillance), HAL airport, Bengaluru; Manuj Bhardwaj, assistant general manager (engineering – civil / planning), AAI; Sachchida Nand Pandey, senior manager (air traffic management), AAI; Santosh Kumar Bharti, manager (civil), AAI; and Amaan Chhipa, manager (architecture), AAI.

KSIIDC has already paid Rs 1.21 crore to the AAI to undertake the feasibility study. The state has decided to fast-track the airport proposal in response to Tamil Nadu’s plan to set up an international airport near Hosur, close to the Karnataka border.

Patil said that the decision on Bengaluru’s second airport would be based on merit and not influenced by external pressures. “The proposal for Bengaluru's second airport has been forwarded to the Union government. The Kunigal Road site is about 38 km from the city centre. The Kanakapura Road site has better connectivity, with the Metro, NICE Road, and Mysuru Expressway in close proximity,” he added.

Also, read: Bengaluru airport surpasses 41 million passengers, 5 lakh MT cargo in FY25

The exclusivity clause with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which restricts the establishment of another airport within a 150-km radius, expires in 2032—paving the way for a potential second airport by 2033.

It may be recalled that the state government previously rejected a proposal for a third runway at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) due to land constraints. Additionally, HAL Airport in the city centre was closed for commercial operations in 2008 when KIA became operational in Devanahalli. At present, HAL Airport is used exclusively for military, chartered, and VIP flights.

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