Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah government is rushing to finalise the location of a proposed second commercial airport in Bengaluru city as any delay will give neighbouring Tamil Nadu a chance to capitalise on catering to a growing stream of air travellers and cargo handling, ThePrint has learnt.
According to people directly aware of the developments, the two locations for the airport are in the vicinity of Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru South and the other proposal is near Nelamangala in the northern side of the city.
“We have identified these two locations and there is land available for the second airport. It requires around 4,000 acres of land and both places have this space,” said one senior government official.
The Karnataka government appears to be tilting in favour of the location on the southern side, and the main reason is to not allow Tamil Nadu to take business away from the state.
Tamil Nadu has proposed to build a greenfield airport in Hosur, about 40 km from the southern localities of Bengaluru, which would leave a large chunk of India’s IT capital relying on air services from the neighbouring state.
The proximity and lower land prices has already seen Bengaluru-headquartered businesses like mobility provider Ola invest in Hosur. The same is true of several residential projects as well since Hosur is just 25 km from Bengaluru’s Electronic City and a faster commute compared to those travelling from within the city on account of heavy traffic, poor infrastructure among others.
The race has put two of India’s most industrious states on a collision course, threatening to add to its already strained relations over Cauvery water sharing and other disputes.
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‘Non-compete clause’
The Kempegowda International Airport began operations in 2008, shifting from the older HAL airport located inside the city. It was meant to handle the growing number of passengers and cater to the growing aspirations of the city.
Air passenger traffic in Bengaluru grew 9 percent to 40.73 million in 2024 compared to 37.2 million in 2023, according to Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL).
It also has seen a 21.1 percent increase in international passenger traffic as well as 17 percent growth in cargo tonnage, making it a lucrative business that Karnataka cannot afford to let go.
International cargo increased 23 percent in 2024, driven by rising demand for perishables, spare parts, engineering goods and e-commerce shipments, according to BIAL. In fact, Kempegowda airport tops in perishable exports from India.
“The key commodities driving cargo growth included agri-perishables, ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, machinery parts, accessories, and spare parts. BLR Airport’s cargo network now includes 12 freighter airlines operating on both domestic and international routes. Key export routes included Singapore, London, Frankfurt, Chicago, and Muscat, while top import routes included Shenzhen, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Frankfurt,” according to BIAL.
But building the second airport also has its challenges. In its concession agreement signed with the Union government on 5 July2004, BIAL ensured that it remains the sole airport in Bengaluru, at least until 2033.
“No new or existing airport shall be permitted by GoI to be developed as, or improved or upgraded into, an International Airport within an aerial distance of 150 km of the airport before the 25th anniversary of the Airport Opening Date,” according to the concession agreement. The only concession is for the development of Mysuru and Hassan airport.
The new proposal by Karnataka is likely to complicate matters. “We are exploring if we can give the contract to build the airport to BIAL itself. In this way, they can waive off the non-compete clause,” the official cited above said.
The Karnataka government is now approaching the Centre for requisite permission with the two shortlisted locations.
But, where will it come up?
Tamil Nadu MP Thambidurai has raised the issue of building an airport in Hosur in the Rajya Sabha earlier this week. He said that BIAL’s non-compete clause and concession agreement that does not allow the building of another airport within 150 km radius is hindering Tamil Nadu’s aspirations.
The industrial town of Hosur has several big factories of companies like Ashok Leyland, Caterpillar, Microlabs, Titan, TTK, TVS Motors and several others. According to Tamil Nadu, Hosur contributes 3 percent of its GSDP, making it a strong pitch for its proposal to build an international airport.
In Karnataka, prominent leaders such as former prime minister H.D.Deve Gowda, are pushing for a second airport. The Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch raised the issue in Rajya Sabha earlier this week as well, seeking the Union civil aviation ministry’s nod for a second airport in Bengaluru.
With almost two years gone by since the Congress government took office, it has little to show for in terms of development or major infrastructure projects. Senior ministers have started lobbying for the airport in their constituencies or in close proximity to have something to show for in elections, the sources who spoke to ThePrint said.
G. Parameshwara has been lobbying for the airport to come up near Nelamangala, enroute to his constituency and district, while Deputy Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar wants it near Kanakapura.
The official cited above said that it makes little sense to have two airports in the northern part of the city since the distance from within the city is still quite a lot.
“If it comes up on Kanakapura Road, then it will be a 30 minute drive from localities like Jayanagar and other parts of Bengaluru south,” the official said. It also has the potential to cater to passengers from southern Karnataka.
“We cannot decide the location whether it should be Bidadi, Tumakuru, Nelamangala or Solur. AAI and BIAL, they have an agreement that we cannot build a new airport for so many years. They will decide. They are checking the feasibility,” Shivakumar told reporters Thursday.
The deputy chief minister added that he also wishes that the airport comes near his home town but it was not for him alone to take the decision.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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The proposed airport at Hosur will certainly be beneficial to the people. Let Hosur too develope.
Competition between states is the way forward. This is how it should be.
And let’s contrast this with Kolkata. The Union government had proposed a second airport for Kolkata way back in 2012. 12 years have passed since then, but the Bengal government has not been able to even finalise a location for the proposed airport.