Bengaluru's second airport: BCG, iDeCK detail plans with Karnataka ministers

Both consultants made presentations to deputy CM and Bengaluru development minister DK Shivakumar and Industries minister MB Patil and senior government officials on the pros and cons of various sites

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and iDeCK (Infrastructure Development Corporation [Karnataka] Limited) made a detailed presentation on August 5 on the feasibility of Bengaluru’s second airport.

Both consultants made presentations to deputy CM and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar and Industries minister MB Patil and senior government officials on the pros and cons of various sites.

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

While BCG assists Karnataka government with various projects, iDeCK is a joint venture between the Government of Karnataka, IDFC Foundation, and HDFC.

"BCG representatives shared their experience building the airport in Navi Mumbai," said Patil.

The identified locations include Harohalli, Dobbaspet, near Tumakuru, near Koratagere, near Kunigal, near Huliyurdurga and Malavalli. Sources said Harohalli and Dobbaspet are the frontrunners for the Bengaluru's second airport.

Also, read: Bengaluru's second airport: Karnataka minister reveals possible sites

Both Harohalli and Dobbaspet are 50-60 km away from Bengaluru. Shivakumar is backing for Harohalli, which is part of Bengaluru South (Ramanagara).

On the other hand, Dobbaspet benefits from Satellite Town Ring Road and multi-modal logistics park (MMLP). The government is also planning to extend the Metro rail from Madavara (BIEC) to Tumakuru on a PPP model. On June 29, Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. was awarded a Rs 1.2 crore contract by BMRCL to prepare a feasibility study report for the extension.

Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company (K-RIDE), the executing agency for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), had also prepared a proposal to expand the network from Chikkabanavara to Tumakuru via Dobbaspet (55 km).

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro's extension to outskirts, double-decker flyovers; contracts awarded for feasibility studies

"Initially, iDeCK identified nine potential sites, but two were removed from the list due to non-feasibility. Visual presentations prepared by both entities were reviewed during the meeting," said Patil.

Patil said a meeting will be held on Tuesday (August 6) with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss submitting a proposal to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

"We will submit a proposal to AAI, detailing all seven identified locations. AAI officials will then visit the sites to assess feasibility. The final decision will be based on factors such as passenger density, connectivity, industrial growth, cargo potential, and environmental considerations like the presence of water bodies, hills, and biodiversity," Patil said.

He said that the decision on the location of the second airport will not be political. "It will be guided by around 15 parameters set by the AAI, as well as the overall development of Karnataka, including Bengaluru."

Also, read: Bengaluru's proposed second international airport to have 100 million passenger capacity: Karnataka minister

Bengaluru's proposed second international airport will have an annual passenger capacity of 100 million. The government plans to acquire around 4,000-5,000 acres for the new airport.

Second airport by 2035: DK Shivakumar

"Kempegowda International Airport was built under the PPP model, and the new airport will follow the same approach with involvement from both central and state governments. We’ll discuss the proposal with the Chief Minister before sending it to Delhi," said Shivakumar who holds the  Bengaluru development portfolio.

On the timeframe of the new airport, Shivakumar said, "Work will start once the Centre grants permission, with the airport planned to be operational by 2035. We’re accelerating the process faster so that other states don’t grab this opportunity".

Also, read: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin announces international airport in Hosur

"Currently, there’s a rule prohibiting new airports within a 150 km radius of Bengaluru’s existing airport, which will end in 2032-33. We’ve acquired 4,000 acres and built two runways, but one airport won’t be enough due to Bengaluru’s rapid growth," said Shivakumar.

Separately, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on June 27 announced plans to establish an international airport in Hosur. "The proposed airport, with a capacity to handle 30 million passengers per year, will cover 2,000 acres," Stalin said in the assembly.

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