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

The exclusivity clause with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which restricts the establishment of another airport within a 150-km radius, expires in 2032

Chudahalli and Somanahalli on Kanakapura Road, along with Nelamangala–Kunigal Road, are the three locations shortlisted for Bengaluru's second airport.

Sources told Moneycontrol that the Karnataka government proposed these locations for a pre-feasibility study to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation in a letter dated March 5.

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

Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Limited (iDeCK), a consultant, was tasked with studying the technical feasibility, road, rail, and metro connectivity, and other aspects of developing a second international airport in Bengaluru.

“These locations have been identified, and Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials will soon visit them to conduct a pre-feasibility study. We are ready to provide a minimum of 4,500 acres of land at any of the selected locations,” an official said.

Officials said that potential locations have been identified based on four key factors: airport connectivity via national and state highways, rail and metro accessibility, distance and travel time for users, and features such as expansive terrain, land type, sparse population, and water resource availability.

Also, read: Bengaluru’s second airport: Karnataka minister to visit Delhi soon for approvals

Karnataka has decided to fast-track the airport proposal in response to Tamil Nadu’s decision to establish an international airport near Hosur, close to Bengaluru.

Karnataka's Infrastructure Minister MB Patil has said that the decision on Bengaluru's second airport will be based on merit and not influenced by external pressures.

"After the legislative assembly session, I will visit Delhi to discuss these proposed locations with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and central government officials. Steps will be taken to obtain final approval. AAI officials will visit these sites for inspection, and the state government will decide based on feasibility and viability," Patil said.

Patil further said, "The proposal for Bengaluru's second airport has been forwarded to the Union government. Kunigal Road site is about 38 km from the city centre. Kanakapura Road site offers better connectivity with the Metro, NICE Road, and Mysuru Expressway, all in close proximity."

Also, read: Airport at Tamil Nadu's Hosur to benefit Bengaluru's tech hub Electronics City and nearby areas

The selected sites have been chosen with connectivity in mind, ensuring they are within 50 km of the city. If the location is too far, it will not attract passengers. The state will provide the land, but investors must be willing to develop the airport. They will assess feasibility and viability before investing. "Our responsibility is to provide the land; the rest will follow under the PPP model," Patil added.

The exclusivity clause with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which restricts the establishment of another airport within a 150-km radius, expires in 2032. This opens the possibility of developing a new 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 began operations in Devanahalli. Currently, HAL Airport is used exclusively for military, chartered, and VIP flights.

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